Posted on 08/12/2004 8:05:06 AM PDT by MaryFromMichigan
480-Pound Woman Dies After Six Years On Couch POSTED: 3:48 pm EDT August 11, 2004 -- A 480-pound Martin County woman has died after emergency workers tried to remove her from the couch where she had remained for about six years. Laverne Grinds, 40, died Wednesday, after a failed six-hour effort to dislodge her from the couch in her home. Workers say the home was filthy, and Grinds was too large to get up from the couch to even use the bathroom.
A preliminary autopsy on the the four-foot, ten-inch woman lists the cause of death as "morbid obesity." But officials want to know more about the circumstances inside the home.
Investigators say Grinds lived with a man named Herman Thomas, who says he tried to take care of her the best he could. He has told them he tried repeatedly to get her up, but simply couldn't. No charges have been filed, but officials are looking into negligence issues. Emergency workers had to remove some sliding glass doors and lift the couch, with Grinds still on it, to a trailer behind a pickup truck. Removing her from the couch would be too painful, since her body was grafted to the fabric. After years of staying put, her skin had literally become one with the sofa and had to be surgically removed. She died at Martin Memorial Hospital South, still attached to the couch. Neighbors say they had no idea Grinds lived at the duplex, though they had seen Thomas and some children outside.
UPDATED: 10:33 am EDT August 12,
The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
(Excerpt) Read more at wftv.com ...
I read this story about 1/2 hour ago and was too grossed out to post it. UGH!
No comments about couch potatoes, please!
Wonderful image to start the day. Thanks.
Ugh. Makes me want to hurl...
I was in Europe when they had knock a wall down remove a fat man from his house.
This will just prove to the euros that americans are fat.
On the news report they said the workers had to pump fresh air into the duplex,because the stench was making them ill.Sad story.
John Kerry's buddies will be right on this suing the hospital for negligence.
"after emergency workers TRIED TO remove her from the couch... "
Ugh...
I've seen different weights, different ages, and different length of times she was stuck there.
I think everyone is having problem getting this whole story straight since it REALLY is unbelievable.
More info here (Real Audio req.): Video
She died after getting the stuffing knocked out of her.
This story is sad, but why would they even consider charging someone with negligence. She was not a young child. She was on the couch from age 34 to 40. She was old enough to live her own life and charging anyone with negligence for her lifestyle choice is wrong.
Shoulda used Scotch-Guard.
John Kerry reporting for home health care and bed-pan duty. (Insert Salute)
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