Marina DeChapell, age 34, went to the Miami abortion facility at 620 SW 1st Street for a safe and legal six to eight week abortion on August 17, 1978. Eduardo F. Elias administered Valium and Xylocaine for the abortion.
Immediately after the procedure, Elias noticed that Marina was not breathing. He initiated CPR and an emergency team was summoned. The ambulance crew found Marina with no signs of life.
Although the medical examiner did not attribute Marina’s death directly to the abortion, police noted that the clinic, owned by Luis Barquet, was not equipped with any emergency equipment other than an air bag.
Source: Miami Herald 8-18-78
Note: Luis Barquet was the abortion doctor who owned the clinic where DeChapell died. He was an illegal abortionist prior to Roe who simply hung out his shingle and began practicing legally after abortion laws were struck down. At the time of DeChapell’s death, he was serving time in jail.
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