Investigation continues at house after death, 2 hospitalizations

Several state and municipal agencies were at a Wilmington-area home Friday investigating the three medical emergency calls this week that left one woman dead and two men in critical condition.

Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control workers in protective gear were seen outside the Dunleith home in the 400 block of Morehouse Drive before entering the residence as part of an investigation to figure out what happened.

"Whenever a potential cluster of illnesses is reported to [state Division of Public Health], it is standard practice for us to investigate and determine if the illnesses can be traced to a specific cause," said Emily Knearl, section chief of Health and Risk Communication for the division.

In these kind of situations, Knearl said the agencies look at a wide variety of causes. "There is nothing immediately obvious at this time but further testing is needed," she said.

Because the federal privacy law, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, known as HIPAA, applies in this situation, Knearl said they are unable to disclose individual health data.

On Tuesday, paramedics responded to a report of a 79-year-old woman at the house in cardiac arrest, Jackson said. She was taken to Wilmington Hospital, where she later was pronounced dead, police said.

About 4 a.m. Wednesday, Emergency Medical Services responded to the same house for an unconscious person. A 79-year-old man was taken to Christiana Hospital, where he remains in critical condition, police said.

Later Wednesday, a 58-year-old man was found unconscious at the home and was taken to the same hospital, also remaining in critical condition.

Anyone with information that could assist investigators is asked to call county police at (302) 395-8110 or (302) 573-2800.

Tips also may be given at www.nccpd.com, through the county police Facebook page, using the department's smartphone app and through Delaware Crime Stoppers at (800) TIP-3333 and www.tipsubmit.com.