-unhappy with hospital treatment
The family of Michal Wallerson, BSN, RN, is calling for transparency and accountability following her sudden and unexplained death on December 29, 2024.
Wallerson, who worked at the Bartica Regional Hospital (BRH), fell ill after completing a 12-hour night shift on December 28. According to her family, she was taken to the hospital’s emergency department less than an hour after her shift ended but was initially denied assistance in exiting the vehicle. A doctor reportedly told her brother, “We don’t come to take nobody out of car, the emergency comes to us.”
She was later discharged the same day despite being unable to walk unaided and without a clear diagnosis. By the following day, she was found dead at home.
The family said that the authorities launched a suicide investigation, collecting evidence from the residence, and the police took possession of her body for a post-mortem scheduled for January 3, 2025. However, the autopsy did not proceed as planned due to the absence of an evidence kit, which the pathologist said was not provided by law enforcement. Despite reassurances from police officials that the necessary materials had been sent, the post-mortem was eventually ruled inconclusive, with organ samples sent to the National Lab for further testing.
On January 14 2025, after uncovering concerning details about Wallerson’s medical care at BRH, the family said that they formally sought clarification from the Regional Health Officer, who directed them to the Chief Medical Officer. Meanwhile, police updates on the case have been scarce. The family last received a response on January 29, when the Commander requested two days to provide an update, but no further communication has been made.
In a public statement on social media, Phebe Thomas, Wallerson’s sister, raised several questions:
Where is the missing evidence kit, and why are there conflicting accounts from the police and the pathologist?
Why is it difficult to obtain Wallerson’s medical report if, as the Regional Health Officer says, a comprehensive report has already been submitted to the Chief Medical Officer?
Was another potential cause of death overlooked, and why was she discharged from the hospital in her deteriorating condition?
Why does the family feel that the system is obstructing rather than assisting their search for the truth?
Frustrated by what they describe as delays, deflections, and a lack of closure, the family said they were left with no choice but to take their concerns to the public.
