June 3, 1975: One of Three Dead Women at Chicago Abortion Mill

"Susanna Chisholm"* was a pretty young mother of four when she went to Biogenetics Ltd. in Chicago for a safe and legal abortion on June 3, 1975.  

Even though 35-year-old Susanna was more than 12 weeks pregnant, the Biogenetics doctor chose to ignore the Illinois law that required abortions after 12 weeks to be performed in hospitals. Within hours of her abortion, Susanna had bled to death from a punctured uterus. She had paid $600 for the fatal abortion.

Biogenetics (which had been the target of at least 30 malpractice suits) claimed that their doctor was only repairing damage Susanna had done to herself in an attempted self-induced abortion. However, Biogenetics settled the case with Susanna's survivors for $75,000. 

Brenda Benton and Synthia Dennard also died after abortions at Biogenetics. 

Biogenetics's owner Kenneth Yellin was gunned down outside his facility in an apparent gangland slaying in 1979.

*Pseudonym used at request of family member.

Watch "Was Susanna's Abortion Legal or Illegal?" on YouTube.

Sources:

• "12 dead after abortions in state's walk-in clinics," Chicago Sun-Times, November 19, 1978