Patient Finds Doctor Deceased In Office

Niles police performed a death investigation Nov. 21 just after 3:30 p.m. at a doctor's office in Golf Mill Center. Niles Fire Department paramedics were performing life-saving measures on an unconscious woman who worked in the office, but were unsuccessful. Police said they interviewed the person who had called 911, who was a patient of Maria Heffernan, LCSW. The patient arrived at the office waiting room at about 3 p.m. and texted Ms. Heffernan twice to tell her he was there, but received no response, according to the report. At around 3:30, he entered her office, found her unresponsive in a chair, and dialed 911. He attempted life-saving measures, as did paramedics when they arrived, but were unable to revive her. A co-worker told police she had last seen Ms. Heffernan alive at about 2:30 p.m. A primary care doctor for Ms. Heffernan, 58, of Des Plaines, told police she had an extensive medical history. The Cook County Medical Examiner's Office said there would be an autopsy.

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