Baptist Hospital patient's death under investigation

BY RON BEASLEY

The unexplained disappearance and death in January of a 56-year-old man at Baptist Hospital of Miami continues under investigation by Metro-Dade homicide investigators.

According to police reports, the body of Stephen Donelson, 18240 SW 88 Lane, was discovered lying on the ground of an atrium inside the hospital, at 8900 N. Kendall Dr.

Donelson, a patient, was reported missing from his hospital room at 10 p.m. on Jan. 17. A hospital visitor discovered Donelson's body 19 hours later at 5 p.m. the next day.

Metro homicide detectives believe that Donelson fell from the hospital's roof, although they have not yet classified the death as a suicide.

"The investigation is continuing," said homicide detective Mike Malgarejo, who declined to speculate whether Donelson had taken his own life.

At the same time, Miami-Dade County Medical Examiner Michael Hunter also continues to investigate Donelson's death. His findings are not scheduled to be released until Apr. 19.

Baptist Hospital officials, citing patient confidentiality, would not reveal why Donelson was admitted, nor would they discuss the nature of his treatment. Neither would they confirm or deny that he disconnected himself from monitoring equipment before his disappearance.

"This was a very tragic incident," said Anne Streeter, director of public relations for the hospital. "We are cooperating fully with the investigation."