No One Can Explain How This Woman Made An Entire ER Faint

Gloria Ramirez arrived at the Riverside, California, emergency room on February 19th, 1994, with advanced cervical cancer. Ramirez showed disorientation, shortness of breath, and a rapid heartbeat. She also displayed unusual symptoms not typical for cervical cancer. Oily skin and a fruity, garlic-like odor came from her mouth. Ammonia filled the room when a nurse injected her with an IV to draw blood.

Shortly after a nurse drew blood from Ramirez, emergency room staff began experiencingOdd symptoms appeared.The nurse who drew the blood collapsed near the ER door, stating she felt a burning sensation on her face. A medical resident also collapsed, showing shakiness and shortness of breath.

Other medical staff treating Ramirez showed similar symptoms. A respiratory therapist fainted and lost control of her limbs. Several other staff members got sick, so the hospital declared an internal emergency. Staff evacuated quickly to stop the illness from spreading.

One major theory suggests Ramirez's medications caused the event, leading toA chain reactions caused the poisoning.The theory suggests Ramirez used dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) for pain from her cancer. Dimethyl sulfone, the metabolized form of DMSO, was found in her system. DMSO may have broken down when paramedics gave her oxygen.

Drawing blood caused a sharp temperature drop in Ramirez's blood. This turned dimethyl sulfone into the deadly dimethyl sulfate, which then entered the air. Symptoms like shortness of breath are common signs of dimethyl sulfate poisoning.

After Ramirez's ER visit, 23 of the 37 staff members showed at least one poisoning symptom. Most people had minor symptoms. Still, some staff needed extra care.

Nurse Sally Bolderas needed a ten-day hospital stay for sleep apnea. Medical resident Julie Gorchynski suffered the most damage. She stayed hospitalized two weeks with hepatitis, pancreatitis, and bone tissue deterioration. The Ramirez incident left her using crutches for months. This shows the toxin Ramirez released was very strong.

To prevent further sickness from the poisoning, Ramirez's autopsy happened carefully. Pathologists wore moon suits and worked in a sealed room. The autopsy took 90 minutes. During this time, they took blood, tissue samples, and air from Ramirez's body bag for testing.

Not everyone accepts the idea that dimethyl sulfoxide turns into dimethyl sulfate, poisoning the staff. Several organic chemists doubted this theory after it became public; they claimed the step-by-step chemical reactions looked unlikely.

Other scientists note that victims of dimethyl sulfate poisoning usually show symptoms after hours and most develop watery eyes. Medical staff showed symptoms instantly; none had the watery eyes common with that poisoning.

Medical professionals at Southern California's General Hospital tried everything for Gloria Ramirez. They followed cervical cancer treatment methods strictly. They used Valium, Versed, and Ativan to sedate the patient. Lidocaine, for example, steadied her heart. Staff gave Ramirez oxygen via an Ambu-bag, but her condition worsened. Electricity was used to defibrillate her heart as a last effort.

Cushioned electrodes stuck to her, but the method failed. Her body started making strange toxins.

Gloria Ramirez did not live long after entering the ER. Her blood pressure kept dropping while her pulse faded. Despite medical staff giving electric shocks and drugs, Ramirez...She passed away.She died at 8:50 that evening. She was in the ER for less than an hour before she died.

Some online sleuths suspect she used arsenic for self-medication. They suggest arsenic carries a garlic-like scent.Online sleuths have taken on evaluating the mystery of Ramirez’s condition. Some suggest Ramirez’s symptoms match arsenic poisoning, and arsenic emits a garlic smell. Amateur Internet detectives theorize Ramirez might have self-medicated or seen a shady doctor for dangerous chemical treatments.Some online sleuths have taken on evaluating the mystery of Ramirez’s condition. Some suggest Ramirez’s symptoms match arsenic poisoning, and arsenic emits a garlic smell. Amateur Internet detectives theorize Ramirez might have self-medicated or seen a shady doctor for dangerous chemical treatments.

Gloria Ramirez's illness and death created a media frenzy. Riverside General Hospital, which tried to revive her, appeared in many news stories. Staff members afflicted by her bodily fumes became tragic heroes. People in California and the country feared for their safety. Many TV stations used the fear of airborne diseases, running constant programs about Ramirez's death.

The investigation followed the story without stopping. Medical detectives from every county tried to figure out the cause of the toxic fumes.

Ramirez’s family and friends disliked the media coverage of her death. They suspected the hospital—not Ramirez—caused the deadly gas release. The reverend at her funeral openly blamed the hospital.The reverend at her funeral openly blamed the hospital.He also blamed the county for not sharing the investigation results about Ramirez’s death with her family.

Ramirez’s body was...Her body was not released.An independent autopsy took two months. By then, the body was badly decomposed. The heart was missing. Several organs had contaminated. This made determining the cause of death impossible. Ramirez died in February 1994, but her body did not get released for burial until...AprilApril of that year. They laid her in an unmarked grave at Olivewood Memorial Park in Riverside, California.