Overdose death at Elgin nursing home probed

Elgin police have opened a potential homicide investigation into the death of a man who overdosed on heroin at a local nursing home, authorities confirmed Thursday.

Arturo Q. Cruz was pronounced dead Dec. 1, 2009, after he was found unconscious and bleeding at Asta Care, 134 N. McLean Blvd., in Elgin.

According to police, investigators recovered syringes and other drug paraphernalia in the victim's room, as well as a phone containing text messages indicating someone had delivered heroin to him shortly before his overdose around 10 p.m.

Sgt. Phil Danner said authorities are looking into possible drug-induced homicide charges in the case, but the investigation is ongoing.

"We're looking at several people who might have had knowledge about it," he said. "We're looking at who provided it to him."

Police said Cruz, a paraplegic and known heroin user, was at the nursing home to receive care for severe bedsores.

An employee told investigators that an unidentified man had been asking around about the victim the day he died. Police also found text messages referring to "dope" on the victim's cell phone.

"Have u (sic) tried that new stuff yet?" read one message from the day Cruz died, according to police. "If so what do you think about it? Totally new guy (sic) its way more potent."

Deputy Kane County Coroner Loren Carrera said toxicology tests showed Cruz died of accidental opiate intoxication; there was not an inquest or autopsy. Police estimated his age at 40.

To charge someone with Cruz's death, Danner said, authorities would have to prove someone supplied the victim with the heroin that killed him.

"Whether he did it (overdosed) accidentally or not doesn't really matter," he said.

Police said none of the syringes found near Cruz were associated with Asta Care. A man who identified himself as a manager there said the facility would have no comment.

Danner asked that anyone with information on the case call Detective Scott St. John at (847) 289-2619.