 | |
| Date | September 9, 2017 |
|---|---|
| Venue | Crowne Plaza Chicago O'Hare hotel |
| Location | Rosemont, Illinois, U.S. |
| Cause | Disputed; ruled accidental |
| Deaths | 1 (Kenneka Jenkins) |
| Coroner | Cook County Medical Examiner |
| Litigation | Wrongful death lawsuit by Jenkins's family against the hotel settled in 2023 for undisclosed amount |
On September 10, 2017, Kenneka Jenkins (May 27, 1998 – September 9, 2017) a 19-year-old from Chicago, Illinois, was found dead inside a latched freezer of the Crowne Plaza Chicago O'Hare hotel in Rosemont, Illinois, after attending a party there the prior day.[1]
The medical examiner's report found Jenkins' death to be accidental. Alcohol and topiramate found in her system were thought to have hastened the effects of hypothermia sustained by Jenkins remaining inside the freezer. While the Rosemont police department did not suspect foul play, they stated that their investigation was incomplete. Jenkins' family and friends criticized the initial police response, and a lawsuit was subsequently filed against the hotel and others.
- ^ "The Kenneka Jenkins Case: What Really Happened?". May 27, 2023.