Manslaughter charges leveled at the state health director are called into question by the death certificate filed in Genesee County.
The certificate, filed in the Genesee County Clerk’s Office, lists the 85-year-old Genesee Township man’s cause of death as “end stage congestive heart failure.” Neither Legionnaires’ disease nor Legionnella are listed on the record of Robert Skidmore’s death.
According to the death certificate, Skidmore died in his home in Genesee Township, and an autopsy was not performed.
Health and Human Services Director Nick Lyon is charged with involuntary manslaughter for Skidmore’s death.
Attorney General Schuette charges Lyon in connection with Flint water contamination that Schuette says fostered the growth of legionnella bacteria that led to Legionnaire’s disease. The charges filed by the task force are aimed at Lyon and 4 other government officials in connection with the death of Skidmore and a dozen other fatalities.
Special prosecutors say the five officials caused Skidmore’s death by failing to alert the public about a rash of Legionnaires’ cases in the Flint area when they were aware that additional cases could occur.