Westminster Girl’s Death under Investigation

On June 11, 2017, 22-month-old Gwynne Ann-Marie Hess died in the pediatric intensive care unit at Greenville Memorial Hospital. Miss Hess was admitted to GMH on June 9, after sustaining a cardiac arrest event at her home. She was resuscitated by EMS personnel in the field and transported directly from the home to GMH. The initial 911 call on June 9, was received at 8:15pm. The history reported was Miss Hess choked on a “gummy snack” after an onset of crying causing an airway obstruction. Miss Hess died at 12:16am on June 11. Based on the history provided and medical evaluation, her manner of death was classified as accidental due to complications of aspiration of a food bolus. The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office contacted the Oconee County Coroner Office with new information after a sibling of Miss Hess was hospitalized. The case of Miss Hess has been reopened and further investigation will be conducted to classify the manner of death as a homicide.