May 23, 1982: Fatal Embolism?

Life Dynamics lists 29-year-old divorcee Rhonda Ruggiero on their "Blackmun Wall" of safe and legal abortion deaths. According to the information LDI put together, Rhonda underwent an abortion in May of 1982. She suddenly died of an abortion-related pulmonary embolism on May 23.

Sources:

• Fatal Pulmonary Embolism During Legal Induced Abortion in the United States from 1972-1985, Lawson, Herschel W., MD, Atrash, Hani K., MD, MPH, Franks, Adele L., MD
• American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vol. 162, No. 4, April 1990, p. 986-990
• United States Social Security Death Index database, Rhonda Ruggiero, May 1982; citing U.S. Social Security Administration, Death Master File, database (Alexandria, Virginia: National Technical Information Service, ongoing).