    ACCORDING TO THE INITIAL POLICE INVESTIGATION, THE DECEASED LIVED ALONE AND WAS CONTACTED BY HER DAUGHTER ON OCTOBER 17, 1996.  DURING THEIR CONVERSATION, SHE ADVISED HER DAUGHTER THAT SHE HAD BURNED HERSELF AND NEEDED HELP.  ON OCTOBER 18, 1996, SHE WENT INTO RESPIRATORY DISTRESS AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO COLUMBIA AVENTURA HOSPITAL AND MEDICAL CENTER. 
    UPON ARRIVAL AT THE EMERGENCY ROOM, SHE WAS RESPONSIVE AND ADVISED EMERGENCY ROOM STAFF THAT SHE BURNED HERSELF WITH COFFEE.  MEDICAL EXAMINATION REVEALED 2ND AND 3RD DEGREE BURNS TO HER CHEST ABDOMEN AND LEFT ARM.  TREATMENT WAS ADMINISTERED, AND ON OCTOBER 18, 1996, SHE WAS TRANSPORTED TO JACKSON MEMORIAL HOSPITAL FOR FURTHER TREATMENT AND CARE. 
       UPON ARRIVAL AT JACKSON MEMORIAL HOSPITAL, SHE WAS CONFUSED AND DISORENTED.  B/P WAS 174./85, PULSE 98 AND TEMP. 97.  CONSULTATION FOR SKIN GRAFT WAS DISCUSSED, HOWEVER, THE SURGERY WAS FELT TO BE A MODERATE RISK BECAUSE OF HER AGE.  TREATMENT WAS CONTINUED, HOWEVER, HER CONDITION CONTINUED TO DETERIORATE AND ON NOVEMBER 2, 1996, AT 7:00P.M., SHE EXPIRED.
    SHE HAS A PAST MEDICAL HISTORY OF DEMENTIA, HYPERTENSION, ATHEROSCLEROTIC CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE AND TRANSIENT ISCHEMIC ATTACKS.