NEW CUMBERLAND, Pa. - Roseann DiFrancesco, 86, was found dead, in her home, February 15. A nurse, who was coming to check on her, found her body in the bathroom. She had been hanged by her medical device necklace.
"The lanyard caught around the handle of her walker and she fell between the walker and the toilet and it just you know, went around her neck," said Charles Hall, Cumberland County Coroner
Hall says she died from accidental passive hanging. He calls it a freak accident.
After looking at the device, he would like to see medical necklaces have a clasp that releases when pulled. He understands this might create a problem for someone who falls, it falls off and he or she cannot get to it.
The FDA does warn there have been about half a dozen deaths from devices like this and that people should check with their doctor to find out which device may work best. Some can now go on the wrist or belt.