Irene Simons was a 78-year-old resident of Sunnyview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Butler, Pennsylvania. She died on March 24, 2023; she was not diabetic, and investigators later linked her death to insulin injections administered by a staff member.

Prosecutors say former nurse Heather Pressdee injected Simons with insulin twice, including a second injection after Simons did not immediately die. Simons was one of 17 patients who died in connection with Pressdee’s actions; Pressdee faced charges alleging mistreatment of 22 patients, including 19 counts of attempted murder, and later pleaded guilty to three counts of first-degree murder and 19 counts of attempted murder. Families of Simons and another victim filed wrongful death suits against Sunnyview, arguing the facility negligently hired Pressdee despite prior abuse history at other facilities.

Simons’ daughter, Elizabeth Simons Ozella, spoke in court about her family’s grief and their desire to confront Pressdee. Did anyone at Sunnyview or in Butler have information about staff concerns or warning signs before March 24, 2023?