Fatally Poisoned 93-Year-Old Served Dishwashing Liquid, Facility Says

SAN MATEO, CA — A 93-year-old woman was killed and two additional residents of a Peninsula assisted care facility were hospitalized after ingesting toxic chemicals last week, the San Mateo Police Department said.

The residents were mistakenly served dishwashing liquid instead of juice, Atria Park of San Mateo said in a statement obtained by NBC Bay Area.

“We can confirm three of our residents were recently transported to the hospital after mistakenly being served dishwashing liquid as drinking juice,” the company said.

“We have been working with local authorities, who have informed us that one resident passed away.”

Officers at around 8:10 p.m. Friday responding to the facility on the report of a woman being poisoned at the facility determined that three residents had ingested the chemicals, police said.

SMPD Detectives are investigating this case jointly with the California Department of Social Services Ombudsman, police said.

Atria Hillsdale is cooperating with this investigation, according to police.

Anyone with additional information about this case is asked to contact Sergeant Detective Paul Pak at (650) 522-7660 or pak@cityofsanmateo.org.

Anonymous tips can be submitted here or by calling (650) 522-7676.