The Cook County medical examiner's office has determined the death of an assisted living facility resident was a homicide.
98-year-old Dorothy Byrd died the day after six residents of Holland Home were hospitalized for unknown causes last month. Two other residents among those hospitalized died earlier this month.
A medical examiner's spokesman says Byrd's death was caused by morphine and hydrocodone toxicity, combined with hypertensive and a form of cardiovascular disease.
South Holland Police Lt. Shawn Staples says investigators learned about a week ago that 88-year-old Robert Rundin and 98-year-old Leon Krynicki had also died. Shuftan says further tests are needed to determine the cause of their deaths.
Villa Healthcare manages Holland Home. CEO David Mills did not immediately respond to emails and a telephone message.
