$10 Million Settlement for Jenkins' Family: Tragic Walk-in Refrigerator Death
Back in September 2017, the lifeless body of a young woman was discovered in a hotel walk-in refrigerator, after attending a party at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Chicago O'Hare. Following hours of investigating surveillance footage and interviewing partygoers, authorities concluded her death was an unforeseen accident, ruling out any signs of foul play.
Cook County Court records reveal that around 3.7 million US dollars will be awarded to Teresa Martin, Jenkins' mother, as part of the settlement. This amount will also be utilized for legal fees, funeral expenses, and other necessary outlays. An additional 2.7 million US dollars is set to be awarded to other family members.
In 2017, the medical examiner stated the young woman's passing was due to a series of factors, including hypothermia, exposure to extreme cold within the walk-in refrigerator, and alcohol and Topiramate poisoning. Topiramate, a medication used for various ailments, is primarily prescribed for epileptic seizures and migraines. Jenkins' family claimed they had never been administered the medication, and her blood alcohol level registered above the legal limit[1].
Surveillance footage released in 2017 showed Jenkins wobbling through a hotel corridor before disappearing, later seen exiting an elevator looking visibly affected. However, the footage didn't capture the moment she entered the refrigerator, which remained undetected for almost 24 hours.
Jenkins' family alleged that hotel security, the hotel's security service provider, and the restaurant managing the area had not taken adequate measures to locate her once she went missing.
No party admitted to any wrongdoing in the settlement, which came as a resolution of three separate mediation sessions[1].
[1] Enrichment Data: The $10 million settlement in the case of Kenneka Jenkins, a 19-year-old woman who died in a walk-in refrigerator at a Chicago-area hotel, was reached due to the family's legal action against the hotel. The settlement was a result of the family's lawsuit alleging negligence and wrongful death on the part of the hotel. The case drew significant public attention due to the tragic circumstances of Jenkins' death, which was documented on social media and highlighted concerns about hotel safety and security.
