June 2, 2003: A Tragic End to a Difficult Life

"Katherine Irby," at age 37, had lived a difficult life, as evidenced by the fact that she was abusing methamphetamine. 

While struggling with her drug use, and whatever problems she had that led her to resort to drug use, she became pregnant. 

Rather than draw upon the resources of a pregnancy center, which would have worked holistically with her to resolve the challenges she was facing, Katherine elected for a safe, legal abortion.

On June 2, 2003, she died in her Los Angeles home.

An autopsy found that the abortion had caused acute endometritis and fulminant sepsis, which killed her. 

Sources:

• LA County Medical Examiner Case Summary