Legal+abortion+deaths

"Back alley butchers" were converted to "compassionate providers of vital reproductive health care services" at the stroke of a pen. What difference has this made for women and their families?

Please bear in mind that this is not a complete listing of all the women whose safe, legal abortions were the last choice they ever made. I can only do write-ups of abortion deaths I personally can find information about. The Centers for Disease Control counted 386 safe and legal abortion deaths during the period 1972 - 2003. Their count doesn't include women who died because their abortions fatally delayed the diagnosis of an ectopic pregnancy. Nor does it count those women whose abortions, unbeknownst to them, turned out to be illegal by the CDC's definitions, such as Myrta Baptiste, whose abortionist's medical license was suspended at the time of her abortion. So while there is some overlap between the deaths I note and the deaths the CDC bothers to count, the two are hardly the same.


 * 1) Diane Adams, 28, of the U.S. Virgin Islands, died in 1992
 * 2) Eurice Agbagaa, 26, left hemorrhaging in the care of a receptionist, died in 1989
 * 3) Leigh Ann Alford, 34, died after being prematurely discharged from a National Abortion Federation member clinic in 2003
 * 4) Demetrice Andrews, 22, died from abortion complications in 1988
 * 5) Mickey Apodaca, 28, whose abortionist was out on bail while challenging a murder conviction, died in 1984
 * 6) Gloria Aponte, 20, whose [|NAF member] abortionist allowed his receptionist to administer general anesthesia, died in 1986
 * 7) Charisse Ards, 20, died of post-abortion pelvic infection in 1989
 * 8) Barbara Auerbach, 38, died from complications of a bowel obstruction caused by her abortion in 1981
 * 9) KB, age 19, was charted at "pink, alert, responsive" as she died in 1988
 * 10) Jacqueline Bailey, 29, died from uterine rupture in 1977
 * 11) Brenda Banks, 35, bled to death in 1989
 * 12) Myrta Baptiste, 26, died from what the Centers for Disease Control classified as an "illegal" abortion in 1989
 * 13) Lisa Bardsley, 26, was sent to her motel room, hemorrhaging from internal lacerations that killed her in 1995
 * 14) Junette Barnes, 27, bled to death in 1988
 * 15) Deanna Bell, 13, died from an "uneventful" abortion in 1992
 * 16) Brenda Benton, 35, died of overwhelming septicemia in 1987
 * 17) Rosario Bermeo, 30, went into cardiac arrest and died in 1983
 * 18) Janet Blaum, 37, died of anesthesia complications in 1974
 * 19) Cassandra Bleavins, 20, bled to death in 1971
 * 20) Linda Boom, 35, died from complications of an obsolete abortion technique in 1995
 * 21) Diane Boyd, 19, a mentally disabled rape victim, died 1981
 * 22) Mary Bradley, 41, died from abortion complications in 1985
 * 23) Dorothy Brant, 22, died of abortion complications in 1986
 * 24) Dorothy Brown, 37, died within hours of her abortion in 1974
 * 25) Chanelle Bryant, 22, died after getting abortion drugs from a Family Planning Associates clinic in 2004
 * 26) Belinda Byrd, 37, died after five-minute abortion in 1987
 * 27) Janyth Caldwell, 36, died from undiagnosed ectopic pregnancy in 1986
 * 28) Geneva Calton, 21, bled to death from a perforated uterus in 1979
 * 29) Joan Camp, 22, died from abortion complications in 1985
 * 30) Marla Cardamone, 18, died after being browbeaten into an unwanted abortion in 1989
 * 31) Teresa Causey, 17, died clutching her mother's hand in 1988
 * 32) Claudia Caventou, 33, was heard screaming in the abortion clinic before she died in 1988
 * 33) Patricia Chacon, 16, developed clotting problems and died in 1984
 * 34) Colleen Chambers, 34, died from blood clots in her lungs and legs in 1984
 * 35) Sandra Chmiel, 35, left four children motherless when she bled to death in 1975
 * 36) Gwendolyn Cliett, 29, died from an anesthesia reaction in 1980
 * 37) Margaret Clodfelter, 19, died from infection in 1980
 * 38) Pamela Colson, 31, sent home to bleed to death in 1994
 * 39) Geneva Colton, 21, bled to death in 1979
 * 40) Andrea Corey, 31, died of septic shock in 1993
 * 41) Liliana Cortez, 22, died of abortion complications in 1986
 * 42) Edith Cote, 38, died from pulmonary embolism in 1991
 * 43) Sheryl Cottone, 23, died from an embolism in her heart in 1981
 * 44) Twila Coulter, 21, died of cerebral hemorrhage in 1972
 * 45) Carol Cunningham, 21, killed herself after her abortion in 1986
 * 46) Betty Damato, 26, died of infection after being sent home with a trash bag as aftercare in 1980
 * 47) Mary Ann Dancy, 32, was sent home to death in 1990
 * 48) Angel Dardie, 22, died from saline abortion in 1982
 * 49) Barbaralee Davis, 18, was sent home to bleed to death in 1977
 * 50) Glenda Davis, 31, left two children motherless when she died in 1989
 * 51) Kathy Davis, 26, died of heart failure in 1987
 * 52) Margaret Davis, 33, died from abortion-triggered sickle-cell crisis in 1971
 * 53) Sharon Davis, 17, died from infection in 1983
 * 54) Marina DeChapell, 34, died in a clinic owned by a former criminal abortionist in 1978
 * 55) Arlin dela Cruz, age 19, hanged herself after her abortion in 1992
 * 56) Synthia Dennard, 24, bled to death after an abortion performed when she wasn't even pregnant, in 1989
 * 57) Alerte Desanges, 36, left elderly mother and three daughters with no support when she died in 1994
 * 58) Barbara Dillon, 22, died from an undiagnosed ectopic pregnancy that ruptured after her abortion in 1981
 * 59) Jane Doe of Newark, 20, bled to death from a perforated uterus in 1993
 * 60) Laniece Dorsey, 17, went into a coma and died after anesthesia complications in 1986
 * 61) Tamika Dowdy, 22, died from abortion complications in 1998
 * 62) Gwendolyn Drummer, 15, died when saline got into bloodstream during abortion in 1972
 * 63) Anjelica Duarte, 21, bled to death in 1991
 * 64) Evelyn Dudley, 38, bled to death in 1973
 * 65) Sherry Emry, 26, died from undiagnosed ectopic pregnancy in 1978
 * 66) Georgianna English, 32, died of anesthesia complications in 1980
 * 67) Maureen Espinoza, 16, died from a punctured uterus in 1997
 * 68) Gladyss Estanislao, 28, bled to death on the bathroom floor in 1989
 * 69) Erna Fisher, 18, choked to death on her own vomit in 1988
 * 70) Bonnie Fix, 38, left four children motherless when she died in 1974
 * 71) Sharon Floyd, 18, died 1975
 * 72) Linda Fondren, 21, died of blood poisoning in 1974
 * 73) Christella Forte, 16, died when saline was injected into her bloodstream in 1986
 * 74) Janet Foster, 18, died of septic abortion in 1971
 * 75) Glenna Jean Fox, 17, bled to death in 1989
 * 76) Jammie Garcia, 14, died of massive infection in 1994
 * 77) Josefina Garcia, hemorrhaged and died in 1985
 * 78) Marie Gibson, 34, died after abortion in hospital in 1980
 * 79) Christin Gilbert, 19, died from third-trimester abortion in 2005
 * 80) Kathleen Gilbert, 29, bled to death from punctured uterus in 1985
 * 81) Christina Goesswein, 19, died from amniotic fluid embolism in 1990
 * 82) Gaylene Golden, 21, left child motherless when she died in 1985
 * 83) Maria Gomez, 39, bled to death in 1976
 * 84) [|Rita Goncalves], 25, died of abortion complications in 1984
 * 85) Edrica Goode, 21, died of infection in 2007
 * 86) Shary Graham, 34, bled to death from a cervical laceration in 1982
 * 87) Doris Grant, 32, bled to death in 1971
 * 88) Debra Gray, 34, died of anesthesia complications in 1989
 * 89) Laura Grunas, 30, killed her baby's father, then herself, in 2006
 * 90) Carolina Gutierrez, 21, died of gangrene and sepsis in 1996
 * 91) Angela Hall, 27, died of sepsis in 1991
 * 92) Sharon Hamptlon, 27, bled to death in 1996
 * 93) Arnetta Hardaway, 18, died of infection and hemorrhage in 1985
 * 94) Gracealynn "Tammy" Harris, 19, died of abortion complications in 1997
 * 95) Wilma Harris, 17, was left unattended for 12 hours before she died in 1974
 * 96) L'Echelle Head, 21, died after an abortion in 2000
 * 97) Sheila Hebert, 27, died of abortion complications in 1984
 * 98) Donna Heim, 20, went into a coma and died in 1986
 * 99) Lou Ann Herron, 33, bled to death in 1998
 * 100) Moris Helen Herron, 26, suffered perforated intestines and died in 1983
 * 101) Rhonda Hess, 20, died of infection in 1982
 * 102) Betty Hines, 21, died of abortion-related sickle-cell crisis in 1971
 * 103) Shirley Hollis, 30, died of undiagnosed heart problems after an abortion in 1991
 * 104) Denise Holmes, 24, died from fetal bone marrow in her lungs in 1970
 * 105) Barbara Hoppert, 16, died from a doctor-recommended abortion in 1983
 * 106) Mary Ives, 28, died of amniotic fluid embolism in 1983
 * 107) Karretu Jabbie, 24, bled to death in 1989
 * 108) Louchrisser Jackson, 23, died of hemorrhage in 1977
 * 109) Sandra Kaiser, 14, committed suicide after her abortion in 1984
 * 110) Patricia King, 24, died after being ineptly resuscitated in 1987
 * 111) Giseline Lafontant, 25, died of abortion complications in 1993
 * 112) Minnie Lathan, 41, died of infection in 1978
 * 113) Barbara Lerner, 30, died of blood poisoning in 1981
 * 114) Susan Levy, 30, homeless, found dead in a car in 1992
 * 115) Cora Lewis, 23, died of lung abscesses in 1992
 * 116) Sara Lint, 22, died of abortion complications in 1970
 * 117) Maria Lira, 19, sent home with decomposing fetus in her uterus, died in 1974
 * 118) Suzanne Logan, 34, left paralyzed and mute after abortion, died in 1992
 * 119) Diana Lopez, 25, bled to death after Planned Parenthood abortion in 2002
 * 120) Linda Lovelace, 21, died of sepsis in 1980
 * 121) Elva Lozada, died of abortion complications in 1964
 * 122) Deborah Lozinski, 17, went into coma and died in 1985
 * 123) Dawn Mack, 21, went into cardiac arrest, died in 1991
 * 124) Michelle Madden, 18, died just before Thanksgiving in 1986
 * 125) Sharon Margrove, 25, died from abortion in 1970
 * 126) Haley Mason, 22, killed herself after an abortion in 2001
 * 127) Gail Mazo, 27, died of aspiration complications in 1979
 * 128) Sophie McCoy, 17, died of septic shock in 1990
 * 129) Rita McDowell, 16, awoke screaming, collapsed in her mother's arms, and died in 1975
 * 130) Myria McFadden, 28, developed breathing problems and died in 1987
 * 131) Evangeline McKenna, 38, died after 12 days on life support in 1974
 * 132) Kathy McKnight, 36, died of pulmonary embolism 1993
 * 133) Kendra McLeod, 22, bled to death 1998
 * 134) Lynn McNair, 24, died of amniotic fluid embolism in 1979
 * 135) Dawn Mendoza, 28, died from amniotic fluid embolism in 1988
 * 136) Yvonne Mesteth, 18, died of infection in 1985
 * 137) Natalie Meyers, 16, died of complications of a saline abortion in 1972
 * 138) Sandra Milton, 23, bled to death in front of her three children in 1990
 * 139) Mitsue Mohar, 31, developed hypoxic encepholpathy and died in 1975
 * 140) Ruth Montero, 23, died of hemorrhage in 1979
 * 141) Denise Montoya, 15, died from complications of a 25-week abortion in 1988
 * 142) Beverly Moore, 15, parents were told she was "all right" just before she died in 1975
 * 143) Sylvia Moore, 18, shoved bleeding out the door to die in 1986
 * 144) Christine Mora, 18, died of septicemia and brain hemorrhage in 1994
 * 145) Maura Morales, 25, went into ventricular fibrillation and died in 1981
 * 146) Shelby Moran, 60, mother of five left incapacitated for over twenty years before she died in 1999
 * 147) Katherine Morse, 20, died from saline abortion complications in 1970
 * 148) Kelly Morse, 32, given drugs she was allergic to, died in 1992
 * 149) Loretta Morton, 16, died of pulmonary embolism in 1984
 * 150) Kathy Murphy, 17, died of sepsis in 1973
 * 151) Dorothy Muzorewa, 25, left fetus in the waste basket, apartment "wall to wall blood" when she died in 1974
 * 152) Guadalupe Negron, 33, bled to death in filthy clinic in 1993
 * 153) Kimberly Neil, another Family Planning Associates Medical Group victims, died in 2000
 * 154) Germaine Newman, 14, found dead on bathroom floor in 1984
 * 155) Sara Niebel, 15, screamed on the way to the hospital, died in 1994
 * 156) Maria Ortega, 23, fetus pushed into abdomen, died in 1970
 * 157) Joyce Ortenzio, 32, fatally overdosed on abortion medications in 1988
 * 158) Venus Ortiz, 29, died after five-year coma in 1998
 * 159) Linda Padfield, 28, died of massive infection in 1973
 * 160) Mary Ann Page, 36, died of cardiac arrest after abortion in 1977
 * 161) Mary Paredez, 26, died of hemorrhage in 1977
 * 162) Holly Patterson, 18, died of sepsis after RU-486 abortion in 2003
 * 163) Shirley Payne, 33, bled to death from uterine puncture in 1983
 * 164) Mary Pena, 43, left five children motherless when she died in 1984
 * 165) DaNette Pergusson, 19, died of pulmonary embolism in 1992
 * 166) Erika Peterson, 28, died after "therapeutic" abortion in 1961
 * 167) Catherine Pierce, 27, left unattended, went into coma, languished and died in 1989
 * 168) Katrina Poole, 16, bled to death in 1988
 * 169) Yvette Poteat, 26, died of undiagnosed ectopic pregnancy in 1985
 * 170) Vanessa Preston, 22, died of clotting disorder in 1980
 * 171) Dawn Ravenell, 13, went into coma after secret abortion, died in 1985
 * 172) Jacqueline Reynolds, 22, died of anesthesia complications in 1986
 * 173) Erica Richardson, 16, died when aunt brought her for secret abortion in 1989
 * 174) Carmen Rodriguez, 31, left two children motherless when she died in 1970
 * 175) Luz Rodriguez, 40, bled to death from incomplete abortion in 1986
 * 176) Magdalena Rodriguez, 23, lacerated internally, bled to death in 1994
 * 177) Rosael Rodriguez, 21, died of abortion complications in 1986
 * 178) Adelle Roe, age 26, given slipshod care, died in 2002
 * 179) Amanda Roe, 19, died of perforated uterus and incomplete abortion in 1970
 * 180) Amy Roe, 35, died of pulmonary embolism in 1971
 * 181) Annie Roe, 29, went into cardiac arrest and died in 1971
 * 182) Andrea Roe, 26, left six children motherless when she died in 1971
 * 183) Anita Roe, 23, injected with saline, sent home to die in 1971
 * 184) April Roe, 17, died from saline abortion in 1971
 * 185) Audrey Roe, 44, went into cardiac arrest, died in 1971
 * 186) Barbara Roe, 35, injected with saline, went into convulsions and died in 1971
 * 187) Becky Roe, 18, sent home to die of sepsis in 1971
 * 188) Beth Roe, 35, died of saline abortion complications in 1971
 * 189) Betty Roe, 29, reacted to local anesthetic, died in 1974
 * 190) Beverly Roe, 21, aborted at 35 weeks because baby had anencephaly, died in 1978
 * 191) Brenda Roe, 31, choked on vomit and died from prostaglandin abortion in 1974
 * 192) Cherish Roe, died of RU-486 abortion in 2005
 * 193) Christi Roe, 29, died of embolism during saline abortion in 1972
 * 194) Cindy Roe, 25, killed by air in the bloodstream in 1972
 * 195) Colleen Roe, 31, went into respiratory arrest and died in 1972
 * 196) Connie Roe, 31, died five days after abortion in 1972
 * 197) Danielle Roe, 18, died minutes after her abortion in 1972
 * 198) Dawn Roe, 29, went into convulsions and died in 1972
 * 199) Denise Roe, 27, three mistaken attempts to abort caused her death in 1977
 * 200) Donna Roe, 18, died of prostaglandin abortion complications in 1973
 * 201) Dorothy Roe, 44, died during hysterotomy abortion in 1973
 * 202) Eleanor Roe, 20, died from saline abortion in 1973
 * 203) Ellen Roe #1, 22, died of amniotic fluid embolism in 1974
 * 204) Ellen Roe #2, 18, died from incomplete abortion in 1983
 * 205) Erica Roe, 20, developed clotting disorder and died in 1974
 * 206) Faith Roe, 21, bled to death from punctured uterus in 1974
 * 207) Faye Roe, 18, discovered pulseless in recovery room, died in 1979
 * 208) Gail Roe, 23, died of hemorrhage from a large hole in her uterus in 1975
 * 209) Gloria Roe, 35, left six children motherless when she died in 1976
 * 210) Isabel Roe, died of hemorrhage and peritonitis in 1981
 * 211) Judy Roe, 42, left four children motherless when she died from abortion in 1970
 * 212) Julie Roe, 14, died of sepsis from perforated uterus and bowel in 1972
 * 213) Kimberly Roe, 25, went into cardiac arrest and died in 1970
 * 214) Lori Roe, 17, died of sepsis in 1970
 * 215) Malorie Roe, 35, died of embolism from a saline abortion in 1974
 * 216) Mary Roe, 19, bled to death in 1971
 * 217) Melissa Roe, 27, died from saline abortion in 1992
 * 218) Molly Roe, 21, died from saline abortion performed because of lupus in 1975
 * 219) Monica Roe, 31, died of complications of hysterectomy abortion in 1971
 * 220) Nadine Roe, 32, bled to death from uterine perforation in 1978
 * 221) Nancy Roe, 16, developed fatal embolism and clotting problems in 1972
 * 222) Pamela Roe, 38, killed by physician-prescribed abortion in 1974
 * 223) Patricia Roe, 16, died from complications of catheter abortion in 1975
 * 224) Robin Roe, 21, developed hepatitis and died after abortion in 1972
 * 225) Roseanne Roe, 37, died of anoxic brain damage in 1971
 * 226) Roxanne Roe, 17, reacted to medications and died in 1972
 * 227) Sandra Roe, 18, killed herself after abortion, not knowing she was not actually pregnant, in 1971
 * 228) Sara Roe, 22, developed infection from retained tissue, died in 1972
 * 229) Serena Roe, 22, died of septic shock and hemorrhage in 1980
 * 230) Sherri Roe, 20, died from complications of urea abortion in 1975
 * 231) Susan Roe, 21, died in Maine in 1992
 * 232) Tammy Roe, 33, died of infection after abortion in 1971
 * 233) Tara Roe, died from medical abortion in 2005
 * 234) Teresa Roe, 19, died from prostaglandin abortion in 1974
 * 235) Terri Roe, 43, died of abortion complications in 1991
 * 236) Vanessa Roe, 35, died from pulmonary embolism in 1973
 * 237) Vicki Roe, 23, died of post-abortion sepsis in 1971
 * 238) Wanda Roe, died from chemical abortion in 2006
 * 239) Wendy Roe, 23, died from saline abortion in 1972
 * 240) Yvonne Roe, 19, died of sepsis in 1999
 * 241) Julia Rogers, 20, died of uterine necrosis in 1973
 * 242) Rhonda Rollinson, 32, multiple abortion attempts killed her in 1992
 * 243) Allegra Roseberry, 41, lies by doctors led her to fatal abortion in 1988
 * 244) Sharonda Rowe, 17, died of massive air embolism in 1981
 * 245) Rhonda Ruggiero, 29, died of pulmonary embolism in 1982
 * 246) Stacy Ruckman, 23, died from deliberate, massive overdose of Lidocaine in 1988
 * 247) LaSandra Russ, 20, died after hospital abortion in 1971
 * 248) Tamiia Russell, 15, died after abuser's sister arranged abortion in 2004
 * 249) F.S., 16, languished for seven months before she died in 1970
 * 250) Stella Saenz, 42, died of sepsis and anaphylactic shock in 1968
 * 251) Angela Sanchez, 27, died when clinic owner injected her with drugs in 1993
 * 252) Angela Satterfield, 23, died from undiagnosed ectopic pregnancy in 1990
 * 253) Carole Schaner, 37, bled to death in motel after abortion in 1971
 * 254) Pearl Schwier, 42, died on the operating table during a hysterotomy abortion
 * 255) Angela Scott, 19, went into coma and died in 1979
 * 256) Oriene Shevin, 34, died from RU-486 abortion sepsis in 2005
 * 257) Gloria Small, 43, died after uterine puncture in 1978
 * 258) Delores Smith, 15, left unattended with anesthesia running, went into coma, died in 1979
 * 259) Diane Smith, 23, died of perforated uterus and sepsis in 1976
 * 260) Laura Hope Smith, 22, stopped breathing and died after abortion in 2007
 * 261) Margaret Smith, 24, bled to death in 1971
 * 262) Teresa Smith, 31, died of pulmonary embolism 1988
 * 263) Laura Sorrels, 30, died in motel room, baby daughter by her side, in 1988
 * 264) Kathryn Strong, 26, died of perforated uterus and shock in 1972
 * 265) Jennifer Suddeth, 17, bled to death in 1982
 * 266) Tami Suematsu, 19, died from asthma-related respiratory failure in 1988
 * 267) Yvonne Tanner, 22, went into coma, died in 1984
 * 268) Michelle Thames, 18, died of abortion complications in 1987
 * 269) Ingrid Thomas, 28, died of peritonitis in 1994
 * 270) Magnolia Thomas, 36, died from undiagnosed ectopic pregnancy in 1986
 * 271) Hoa Thuy "Vivian" Tran, 22, died from septic medical abortion in 2003
 * 272) Elizabeth Tsuji, 21, died of mysterious causes after abortion in 1978
 * 273) Cheryl Tubbs, 29, bled to death from uterine rupture in 1975
 * 274) Iris Valazquez, 20, died of abortion complications in 1987
 * 275) Cycloria Vangates, 32, died from cervical laceration in 1976
 * 276) Latachie Veal, 17, bled to death in 1991
 * 277) Brenda Vise, 38, given RU-486 for undiagnosed ectopic pregnancy, died in 2002
 * 278) Cheryl Vosseler, 17, died of abortion complications in 1969
 * 279) Gail Vroman, 20, died from gas gangrene in 1979
 * 280) Pamela Wainwright, 37, died after carbon dioxide was pumped into her body during abortion in 1987
 * 281) Lynette Wallace, 22, died from undiagnosed ectopic pregnancy in 1975
 * 282) Debra Walton, 35, died of septic shock in 1989
 * 283) Nicey Washington, 26, suddenly died after abortion in 2000
 * 284) Sheila Watley, 31, died of amniotic fluid embolism in 1987
 * 285) Diane Watson, 27, went into seizures from anesthesia and died in 1987
 * 286) Ingar Weber, 28, died from undiagnosed kidney problems in 1991
 * 287) Robin Wells, 27, overdosed with anesthesia in 1981
 * 288) Chivon Williams, died after abortion in 1996
 * 289) Ellen Williams, 38, died of peritonitis in 1985
 * 290) Nichole Williams, 22, died of disseminated intravascular coagulopathy in 1997
 * 291) Sandra Williams, 30, died from pulmonary embolism in 1984
 * 292) Shirley Williams, 30, died from infection and hemorrhage in 1980
 * 293) Tanya Williamson, 28, died due to neglect after abortion in 1996
 * 294) Carole Wingo, 22, died of abortion complications in 1974
 * 295) Virginia Wolfe, 33, died of blood loss in 1998
 * 296) Darlene Wood, 23, died from complications of abortion anesthesia in 1982
 * 297) Gail Wright, 29, died of sepsis in 1986
 * 298) Stacy Zallie, 20, committed suicide after abortion in 2002