SUN CITY, AZ – A tragic discovery was made at an independent living facility in Sun City when Angela Vaughn found her uncle, Gerald McClellan, dead in his chair last week. Detectives believe McClellan had been deceased for several days before being discovered.
McClellan, 75, had moved into the LifeStream facility in January after the passing of his wife. Vaughn, who described her uncle as a second father, was shocked to find him in such a state. “It looked like a skeleton in a chair,” she recounted, still shaken by the experience.
The facility’s protocol requires residents to press a button each morning to signal their well-being. Vaughn was assured this system was in place when McClellan moved in. However, it appears the protocol failed when it mattered most, as no staff members checked on him despite his failure to signal.
“I promised my aunt I would take care of him,” Vaughn said, expressing guilt over trusting the facility. She was especially disturbed to learn that no one had seen McClellan since the weekend before his death.
LifeStream’s executive director expressed condolences but did not provide an explanation for the lapse. The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office confirmed McClellan likely died three to four days before 911 was called.
Vaughn now hopes to channel her grief into action, advocating for improved safety protocols at such facilities to prevent similar tragedies. She urges families with loved ones in care facilities to remain vigilant.
A spokesperson for LifeStream stated, “Our heartfelt condolences and prayers go out to the family,” acknowledging the need for compassion and professionalism during this difficult time.
Despite reaching out for further clarification on what went wrong, no additional comments were provided by the facility. Vaughn believes more stringent protocols are necessary to ensure residents’ safety.