Woman 'Chills' in Hospital Freezer for a Year, Family Kept in the Dark Because Why Not?

Listen up, folks! A California woman was literally left out in the cold by the oh-so-compassionate healthcare system. Jessie Marie Peterson died at Mercy San Juan Medical Center—a year ago—and her family only just found out because, surprise, surprise, the hospital couldn't be bothered to notify them! 🎉

Yep, you read that right. Jessie kicked the bucket on April 8, 2023, from cardiopulmonary arrest at the ripe old age of 31, and her family, including her loving mother, Ginger Congi, were none the wiser until April 12, 2024. How totally not disturbing! USA TODAY has the deets on the civil complaint filed against the hospital group.

Now, here’s the kicker: the hospital had the audacity to tell the family that Jessie discharged herself against medical advice. Spoiler alert: she didn't. She died while in their "care." Cue the laughter from the trust-your-doctors crowd! 😂

Peterson's death certificate? Oh, that was just casually completed nearly a year after she died. No biggie! Her family tirelessly tried to find her, even filing a Missing Person’s report with the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office. Way to go, Sherlocks!

When ABC10 reached out to Dignity Health, they offered a heartwarming, “We extend our deepest sympathies to the family during this difficult time. We are unable to comment on pending litigation.” Yeah, because feelings matter more when people are suing you.

Jessie Marie Peterson's Body Found 'Decomposed'

On April 12, the Sacramento County Detective’s Office notified Congi that Jessie was found dead at Mercy San Juan hospital. Her body was just chilling (pun intended) in the hospital’s off-site warehouse morgue. The complaint goes on to say, "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." Can you feel the love? 🤢

On her death day, Jessie called her mom to pick her up because she was leaving the hospital. Oh, the irony. Just two hours later, she was pronounced dead. #PlotTwist

“Well, our hearts are broken. It's pretty hard for as a parent to think about your child living or not living, being in a freezer someplace, all by herself, the fact that she died all by herself, tucked away someplace that nobody cared,” Congi told WXIA-TV. Awww, isn't that heartwarming? Not.

Who was Jessie Marie Peterson?

Jessie, a Sacramento local, was described as a "very loving and energetic person." She was diagnosed with Type I diabetes at the age of 10, which affected her energy and participation in gymnastics. Who needs energy when you can just fade away, right?

“She loved us all she was the kind of kid that would give you the last Jelly Belly out of her pocket, even though it was full of fuzz,” Congi said, per WXIA-TV. Aren't we all just so grateful for this ray of sunshine?

Peterson attended Roseville High School and later became a prosecuting attorney for the Placer County Peer Court. Way to go, overachiever! 🙄

Not only did her hospital stay include a previous diabetic episode and foot infection surgery, but her body also got the "dignity and respect" treatment that Mercy San Juan advertises. To date, the hospital hasn't even apologized to Jessie’s family members. Classy!

The family is seeking more than $5 million in damages to "punish" the medical center for "their outrageous and inexcusable negligence and complete disregard for the dignity of Jessie." Good luck with that, folks!