Court investigates the death of a young English teacher in Murcia hospital

Authorities have launched an inquiry following the death of a 24-year-old Filipina English teacher at Virgen de La Arrixaca Hospital

A 24-year-old Filipina English teacher has died at Murcia's Virgen de La Arrixaca hospital, prompting a court investigation into the circumstances of her death. Magistrate José Fernández Ayuso, of Court Number 7 in Murcia, has opened an inquiry into a possible case of involuntary manslaughter. This followed a complaint by the woman's partner, who is being represented by a lawyer.

The judge has ordered the hospital to preserve her body while the investigation continues and has asked the forensic team at the Legal Medicine Institute (IML) to collect her complete medical records from both Reina Sofía and La Arrixaca hospitals. This includes all internal notes made by doctors and medical staff. The magistrate is also awaiting a report to determine whether an autopsy is needed.

Timeline of events

The young woman, Leny, fell ill on Friday January 16, while at home with her partner and a friend. She experienced excessive salivation, difficulty chewing and numbness in her left hand. They went to Reina Sofía hospital, arriving at 11.45pm. Using Google Translate and help from her friend, they explained her symptoms to the emergency staff. After waiting around 30 minutes, a doctor first examined her.

According to reports, Leny was later reassessed at around 1.30am by a junior doctor and a supervisor. Blood tests were carried out, but she vomited and fainted while waiting. By 2am, a team of doctors suspected a blood clot, and she was transferred to La Arrixaca hospital at 4am for further tests.

At La Arrixaca, Leny was admitted to the stroke unit. Doctors initially carried out a thrombolysis procedure, which seemed successful. Later on Saturday evening, she underwent a craniotomy to remove a clot and reduce pressure in her brain. After further interventions, she was moved to the intensive care unit early on Sunday morning. Despite the medical team’s efforts, she did not survive. The death certificate records an ischaemic stroke as the primary cause of death.

The Murcia Health Service (SMS) has stated that it will cooperate fully with the judicial investigation and respect the actions of the court.

Image: Google Maps