Hospital Kept Woman's Death Secret from Family for a Year, Lawsuit Alleges

A California woman's family searched for her for a year while her body lay decomposing in a hospital's warehouse morgue, unbeknownst to them, according to a lawsuit they filed against the hospital group.

Jessie Marie Peterson died at Mercy San Juan Medical Center on April 8, 2023, from cardiopulmonary arrest at age 31. Her family, including her mother Ginger Congi, was not informed of her death until April 12, 2024, according to a civil complaint obtained by USA TODAY.

The complaint, filed on Aug. 7 in Sacramento Superior Court, alleges that the hospital, owned by Dignity Health, indicated that Peterson discharged herself against medical advice. In reality, "Jessie had died while in the care of Mercy San Juan," the complaint states. She was admitted after a diabetic episode on April 6, 2023.

Peterson's death certificate was not completed until nearly a year after her death. Her family, unaware of her passing, filed a Missing Person’s report and tirelessly searched for her.

In a statement to ABC10, Dignity Health said, "We extend our deepest sympathies to the family during this difficult time. We are unable to comment on pending litigation." USA TODAY also contacted Dignity Health but received no response.

Body Found 'Decomposed' in Hospital Morgue

Sacramento County Detective’s Office notified Congi on April 12 that Peterson was found deceased at Mercy San Juan hospital, her body stored in an off-site warehouse morgue. "At this point, Jessie’s body was so decomposed that an open casket funeral was not feasible, and Jessie’s fingerprints were not even obtainable for any keepsake," the complaint stated.

On the day of her death, Peterson called Congi asking to be picked up. She was pronounced dead two hours later. “Our hearts are broken… as a parent to think about your child… being in a freezer someplace, all by herself,” Congi told WXIA-TV.

Jessie Marie Peterson: A Loving and Energetic Person

Peterson, who grew up in Sacramento, was described as "very loving and energetic." Diagnosed with Type I diabetes at age 10, she attended Roseville High School and Sierra College, later becoming a prosecuting attorney for Placer County Peer Court.

She had been admitted to Mercy San Juan before, including for a diabetic episode on Jan. 10, 2023, and surgery on Jan. 14, 2023.

The complaint states, "While a patient that doesn’t survive may be just another lifeless body to Mercy San Juan hospital, Jessie was a family member, daughter, and sister… Even to this day, the hospital has not apologized."

Peterson's family seeks over $5 million in damages to "punish" the hospital for "outrageous and inexcusable negligence and complete disregard for the dignity of Jessie."