Help fund forensic autopsy for my beloved brother

My name is Catrina, and I am the sister of Williams Sykes, who is now deceased. William was released from Ingalls Hospital Harvey, IL, on December 13, 2021, to Aperion Nursing Home Midlothian, IL. On December 15, 2021, when I called to check on him, I was informed he was sent to Aperion Nursing Home Dolton, IL. On December 21, 2021, I went to see my brother and was shocked. William knew me when I greeted him. He was covered up to his neck with a blanket. My brother's lips and mouth were parched and flaking. He had lost a considerable amount of weight. He was too weak to fist bump me, so I pulled his covers down and discovered a swollen right arm with a PICC line access (IV) in place (see photo).

I noticed and felt the wetness/perspiration on his sheets. I felt his body in multiple locations and it felt cold, clammy and moist. I saw an indwelling catheter that was patent, which meant that the wet bedding was due to a fever. I quickly summoned the nurse in the hall, who was distributing medicine to residents at that time. When she responded, I informed her of his condition then asked her to take his temperature. She did, and it was 103 degrees. I asked her to call the nurse in charge to send him to the hospital. I waited for a superior's response until after visiting hours were over. I was asked to leave two times before I left without a response from any superior regarding my brother's affliction.

I called the Nursing Home Abuse Hotline, which was unavailable to take complaints at 7:30 pm on December 21, 2021.

On December 22, 2021, I called Aperion Nursing Home Dolton, IL, spoke with the nurse in charge, and shared my witnessed condition of my brother, William Sykes. The nurse tried to assure me that my brother was in no need of emergency assistance. I was not convinced, so I called for an immediate care plan meeting which was scheduled to take place on January 4, 2022, at 9:00 am. I told them that that date was too far off to help my brother's present condition. The response was due to scheduling conflicts; that date was the most immediate date that it could occur. I agreed reluctantly to the scheduled care plan meeting and informed the nurse on the phone to notify me if there were any changes to his condition. She agreed.

On January 4, 2022, at 9:00 am, I called for the scheduled care plan meeting and was informed my brother was deceased as of December 25, 2021. No one from the facility reached out to me prior to my call. Through a series of calls to local hospitals, I discovered that my brother was transported to Franciscan Hospital of Indiana, which was just wrong. Why wasn't he transported back to Ingalls Hospital Harvey, IL, since he was just released less than a week before the date of the incident and he was new to the current facility? I have been devastated because Franciscan Hospital Hammond, IN, told me that my brother had no next of kin listed and very limited medical information that accompanied him when he presented to the ER. I shared with them that he was new to the facility, less than a week and that I needed an autopsy to determine his death.

At least eight times, I have called Aperion Nursing Home of Dolton, IL, for information surrounding my brother's death with no response to date; I just left messages to speak with the doctor and the ADON.

On January 5, 2022, I filed a police report alleging denial of emergency medical assistance and requesting an investigation. I had called more than five times over the past two weeks before my calls reached the ear of the police chief, who also denied my request.

On January 5, 2022, I also called the Lake County Coroner's Office. I spoke with more than six different people, including the Chief Deputy Death Investigator, over the past two weeks. I requested to share my concerns with the coroner and left numerous messages for this elusive person. I have received no response from the coroner to date.

The consensus view from both the Dolton Police Department and the Lake County Coroner's Office is as such, "If the deceased wasn't shot, stabbed or strangulated; they do not perform autopsies or investigations."

So, I am asking for your help getting a forensic autopsy performed on my brother. I have a small policy that will not even cover the full burial. Please help me find out what happened.

As I learn of information, I will keep you informed.

Thanks for your time and support.