Woman Bitten To Death By Ants

16,000 Ants Kill Alzheimer's Patient

SARASOTA, Fla. -- A nursing home patient in Florida this week was literally bitten to death in her bed by ants.

The 87-year-old Alzheimer's patient died Friday, a day after she was bitten more than 16,000 times by ants as she lay in her bed.

A chief medical examiner said that she was bitten by either fire ants or red ants on her chest, upper arm, abdomen and back.

Detectives said that the woman was checked at 6:30 a.m. Thursday, and she was fine. An hour and half later, she was covered with ants.

The ant colony was outside the nursing home in a flowerbed. They made their way through the walls into her room.

Investigators said that it doesn't look like the nursing home staff was negligent and don't expect to file any charges.

Fire ants travel in colonies of hundreds and even thousands, and they usually avoid homes, but dry weather and heat can drive them indoors.

Copyright 2001 by Channel 4000. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Looking to advertise?

Information about our privacy policy, terms of use,
Entire Site © 2002, Internet Broadcasting Systems, Inc.