EPISODE 82 - The Toxic Woman

The case of "The Toxic Woman" involves Gloria Ramirez, a 31-year-old woman from Riverside, California, who was admitted to the Riverside General Hospital on February 19, 1994, with complications from advanced cervical cancer. During her treatment, medical staff noticed an oily sheen and ammonia-like smell from her blood, and subsequently, several staff members fell ill, exhibiting symptoms like fainting, shortness of breath, and muscle spasms. Despite efforts to save her, Ramirez died that night. The incident, which led to the hospitalization of five staff members, sparked extensive investigations. A prominent theory suggested that Ramirez had used a pain-relieving substance, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), which might have transformed into a toxic compound in the hospital. The exact cause of the symptoms remains unresolved, rendering the case an enduring medical mystery.