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Florida Nursing Home Deaths After Hurricane Irma Ruled As Homicides

The Hollywood Police Department said 12 patients at the Rehabilitation Center at Hollywood Hills were killed by "environmental heat exposure."

By: Briana Koeneman

Posted at 11:16 AM, Nov 23, 2017

and last updated 2017-11-23 11:16:46-05

The deaths of a dozen Florida nursing home residents who died after Hurricane Irma have been ruled as homicides.

The Hollywood, Florida, Police Department announced Wednesday that "environmental heat exposure" killed 12 patients at The Rehabilitation Center at Hollywood Hills.

A total of 14 residents died after the powerful hurricane hit in September. The storm knocked out the nursing home's central air conditioning.

The New York Times reported the nursing home did appear to have electricity at the time but that a fallen tree apparently knocked out the transformer that powered the cooling system.

Authorities determined the other two deaths weren't caused by conditions at the home.

Police say an investigation into the incident is still underway. No one has been charged yet.