83-Year-Old Alzheimer’s Patient Dies After Suffering More Than 1,000 Fire Ant Bites at West Ashley Nursing Facility

An 83-year-old woman with Alzheimer’s disease died on August 7, approximately two weeks after she was reportedly found covered in more than 1,000 fire ant bites at Harmony at West Ashley. Her family said she entered a secure courtyard late at night after an employee allegedly propped open a door. She was later found suffering extensive ant bites and was eventually hospitalized before being transferred to hospice care.

The Charleston Police Department, Charleston County Coroner’s Office, and South Carolina Department on Aging’s Office of Long Term Care Ombudsman are investigating her care and death. Police reportedly served search warrants and seized records from the facility.

Nathan Hughey, an elder abuse attorney representing the family, notified the facility of their intent to pursue legal action and requested preservation of relevant records, including medical records, incident reports, and surveillance footage.