A woman met a horrifying and sorrowful end when her body became fused to a couch, prompting the Sheriff’s office to express that they had no anticipation for such an event.
Gayle Laverne Grinds, aged 39, stood at 4ft 10′ and weighed over 34 stone. She passed away on August 11, 2004, after medics spent six hours attempting to detach her skin from her couch.
The Sun reports that Grinds, a resident of Florida, was unable to even get up to use the bathroom, having spent an estimated six years sitting down.
The situation began when Grinds sustained a broken leg in the 90s. Shortly after the initial fracture healed, she unfortunately fractured her leg again.
This series of events negatively affected her mental health, leading her to remain on the sofa to prevent further injury. She reportedly found comfort in food, which led to morbid obesity as she continued to sit and eat in her Stuart, Florida apartment.
Herman Thomas, who shared the apartment with Gayle, stated: “I tried to take care of her the best I could. I tried to get her to get up, but it wouldn’t do no good.
“I wish I could have pulled her off the couch, but she wouldn’t let me.”
Her brother eventually contacted emergency services due to concerns over her declining health, as Grinds had begun to experience breathing difficulties.
A team comprising 12 firefighters arrived with a custom-built wooden stretcher to remove Grinds and the couch from the apartment. They resorted to using a trailer connected to a pick-up truck for her transport to the hospital.
According to officials, Grinds passed away at 3:12 am local time, still attached to the couch.
Sergeant Jenell Atlas from the Martin County Sheriff’s office released a statement regarding Grinds’ death.
She commented that her passing was not considered suspicious since the autopsy confirmed her morbid obesity. Nonetheless, she acknowledged the peculiar nature of the case and mentioned that investigators would explore potential negligence in her care and death.
He said: “We do have an investigation started because the circumstances surrounding her death are so unusual.
“We are used to going to people’s houses when things are at their worst… and that’s fine, we’re trained for it. But there is no warning for something like this.”