The Chanda Turner Reform Act (SB250) has been signed into law, and will go into effect Nov. 1, 2011! Families can now appeal their loved-ones' death certificates!

(Information provided by Soncia Taylor, Jennifer's mother): 

Jennifer Taylor died on July 3, 2010 in her home, at the age of 26.  She was found by her mother, Soncia, in the afternoon in a recliner.  Soncia could tell by the color of Jennifer's skin that something was terribly wrong.  When she touched Jennifer and found she was cold, Soncia ran and immediately called 911.

When the body was being prepared for transport to the ME's Office, several prescription medications were taken from Jennifer's home.  She had leg and back pain from a prior car wreck, but her mother believes the new doctor she had been seeing for two (2) months was dangerously overmedicating her daughter.  Her fears were confirmed when she found her daughter dead on July 3, only four (4) days after she had gotten another 60 Lortabs (Hydrocodone) and 60 Zanax (Alpraxocam) refilled on June 29th. After this doctor's visit, Soncia observed Jennifer to be physically ill, and learned the doctor had also given her a shot of something.  She also saw Jennifer take a handful of pills before this appointment.  Four days later, when she was found dead, only 3.5 Lortabs were left in the bottle, and 20 Zanax. Also, on June 19, the doctor had added another, new script Jennifer's body was not used to: Gabapentin.  Obviously, her mother strongly believes medical malpractice was the cause of her daughter's death. 

In the four days before Jennifer's last appointment with this Doctor and her death, Soncia saw Jennifer very ill every single day.  She had diarrhea, vomitting, and was unable to go to work.  Her mother observed facial flushing and was concerned. After Jennifer's death, her mother went to the doctor's office seeking her medical records to determine what the shot was that he gave Jennifer on June 29th - the Doctor informed her he would not release the records until he talked to the M.E.'s Office and his lawyer. 

Much like in Chris Young's case, the ME's Office did not properly log all Jennifer's prescription meds, and several errors appear in the log of what was taken.  When compared with the actual prescription fill history, these mistakes are even more apparent.

However, very strangely, none of these prescribed medications were found in Jennifer's toxicology, which again was run at our very disorganized M.E.'s Office.  Considering the heavy amount of medications Jennifer was taking, and her mother actually observing her take a handful of pills only 4 days prior, one has to wonder if the M.E.'s Office even tested the right person's blood in this case.

On September 3, 2010, Soncia went to the ME's Office in person to obtain her daughter's autopsy reports.  She was shocked to discover Dr. Yacoub (same pathologist in Chris Young's case) determined the manner of death was Cardiomegaly, not toxic drug overdose, and it had been ruled a "natural" death.  A "natural" death of a healthy 26 year old.  Right. 

Our research indicates that standard medical practice dictates cause of death due to Cardiomegaly is not typically indicated unless the heart weighs over 500 grams.  Jennifer's heart weighed in at only 440 grams (assuming even this is correct).  Additionally, Dr. Yacoub wrote "the heart has the normal configuration and location. ... The chambers and atrial appendages are unremarkable. The valves are normally formed. ... The aorta (arch, thoracic and abdominal) is unremarkable..."

Soncia Taylor is pursuing a medical malpractice suit despite our M.E.'s Office clearly botching her daughter's cause and manner of death. 

11.16.10 Rally at the Capitol
 

Jennifer and her mother, Soncia.