Wednesday, July 8, 2009

New Information on Indiana Mysterious Death

Last Update: 6:52 pm

New Information:
The Indiana family struck by a fatal medical mystery is thanking everyone for their prayers and asking them to stay calm. The Mcintosh family says doctors still don't know what killed 19-year-old Matt Mcintosh and has his sister Mindy in critical condition.

Local 12's Joe Webb spoke with Matt and Mindy Mcintosh's mother today.

She says they are still waiting for Matt's autopsy report for answers. They are sad and confused, but not scared.

"I don't want people to be scared. I don't know why they're scared. I'm not sick."

That's the message Katrina Mcintosh wants to send out to neighbors and friends. She says she's proof whatever killed her son, Matt, and has her daughter, Mindy, in intensive care must not be contagious, even though doctors are still baffled by it.

Matt, known as "Skinny" died Sunday after first feeling ill two weeks ago. Mindy has been at University Hospital a week with the same symptoms... pneumonia and kidney failure. The two lived with their parents in rural Dearborn County, Indiana.

The family is trying to nail down everything the two did together before they got sick.

Katrina Mcintosh, Mother: "It's like trying to put together a puzzle that you don't have a box for and you're not sure if every piece belongs to that puzzle."

Matt Mcintosh was the drummer in the rock band Strange on Display. A woman who sings with the band also got sick... so did Mcintosh's father. Doctors say it's unrelated.
Roger Marquardt, Uncle: "As far as we know, there's no connection... a strange coincidence."

Band members plan a benefit this weekend. They say Skinny was one of a kind.

"Great friend. A big ball of fun. Best drummer you could ever imagine. Just a big-hearted guy. He loved and cared about everyone."

"He was an awesome kid. He had the best hugs in the world. I've hugged a lot of people the last few days and I can't find any like his. I never will."

The Dearborn County Health Department referred all calls to the Indiana State Department of Health. A spokesperson says they are aware of the situation and are taking appropriate action. They would not be more specific.
Visitation for Matt Mcintosh is 5-8 pm Thursday at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Greendale. The funeral service is Friday morning.

Previous story:
A family from Dearborn County is asking for your prayers as their daughter clings to life in intensive care at University Hospital. An illness, which appeared to come on suddenly, has already taken the life of their son, who's just 19 years old.

Matt and Mindy Mcintosh are well known around their community of Moores Hill. Matt played in a rock band called "Strange on Display."

As Local 12's Liz Bonis tells us, the disturbing part is there is still no confirmation on what made these two young people so sick.

Experts at University hospital say the cause of this first death is still unknown, and Mindy, his sister, is still in critical condition. They said they are waiting for tests to find out more. They do feel right now there is no danger due to illness to others in the hospital, but they are taking universal precautions. They also feel there's no danger to the community.

Matt Mcintosh was airlifted to University Hospital from Dearborn County early last week, according to spokesperson Don Crouse.

Don Crouse, University Hospital Spokesperson: "Basically, came in with double pneumonia, and renal failure, several days before he had been relatively healthy, performed with a local rock band and had played the Saturday before, so this illness was what appeared to be a fairly quick onset."

Matt died Sunday and medical experts are now looking at autopsy results to see if anything they learn could help save his sister Mindy's life. Lab testing is on-going for viral, bacterial, and fungal infections.

Now, as you might imagine these test take awhile, we expect to hear more in the next 24 hours. Until then, the family continues to ask for our prayers.

Local 12's Joe Webb also spent the day in Dearborn County and spoke to the band's lead singer who says she is also at University Hospital. She is expected to go home tomorrow.

Matt is the drummer in the local band "Strange on Display." A neighbor says he became very sick during a performance more than a week ago and called his mother.

Pay Cummins, Neighbor: "She came and got him and when he got home he was coughing, but he was coughing up blood."

Matt Mcintosh is now dead. His sister is in a critical care unit, and another band member, Kristine Spielmann is also at University Hospital. She has been in isolation and under observation since Sunday with flu-like symptoms.

Don Crouse says it doesn't appear Spielmann has the same ailment, but is being checked out because of contact with Mcintoshes.

The Mcintoshes live in rural Dearborn County, near Moores Hill. Initial calls to Local 12 claimed they got sick after cleaning an outbuilding, a shed or barn and getting into some mold or dust. The hospital is taken a broad treatment approach.

"It's being treated as either viral, bacterial or fungal. We don't really have any clue as to what we're dealing with, yet."

The hospital has sent cultures for tests. A lot of people are anxious for answers.

"It's puzzling. And it's scary because we live so close."

The Mcintosh family did not want to comment on camera today. Through the hospital, the Mcintoshes thanked friends for their prayers and support. They also thanked the hospital for taking heroic efforts to save Matt. They also asked for continued prayers for Mindy Mcintosh.
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