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Richfield nursing home resident found dead outside in snow

Police say they are 'working closely with the Ohio Department of Health' to determine what happened.

RICHFIELD, Ohio — Police have opened an investigation after a Richfield nursing home resident was found lying dead outside in the snow early Tuesday morning.

A nurse at the Renaissance of Richfield/Bath on Everett Road called 911 just before 6 a.m. and told the dispatcher a woman had been found "deceased" in the facility's courtyard. An officer arrived at the scene shortly thereafter, and the victim was later identified as 75-year-old Richfield native Peggy Jirousek.

Jirousek's body had been moved to a stretcher prior to the officer's arrival, but a police report indicated pictures of her lying on the ground had been taken for evidence. The officer also noticed foot steps leading into the "deep snow" to a location where it appeared someone had laid indeed laid down.

Richfield police say they are "working closely with the Ohio Department of Health" to determine what happened, but have mostly declined comment beyond that citing an "active investigation."

"Our sincerest sympathies go out to Mrs. Jirousek's family and loved ones after this tragic incident," Chief Mike Swanson added.

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