June 24, 1974: Young Receptionist Dies After Safe and Legal Abortion

Grok AI illustration

James and Elaine Tyler Young filed suit against Reproductive Services, Inc. for the death of their 22-year-old daughter, Toni Lyn Young.

Toni Lyn, an Ohio native living in Austin, worked as a receptionist at an optical company. 

According to news coverage of the suit, Toni Lyn suffered a perforated uterus during an abortion performed there on June 11, 1974 and died two weeks later, at 4:15 am on June 24, in Brackenridge Hospital in Austin.

The location of the facility is given as 4810 San Pedro Avenue in San Antonio newspapers.

Her death certificate provides only the scantiest information, saying only that she died of "embolism of the Pulmonary Artery," that an autopsy was performed, and "held inquest over body of deceased 6-24-74 at 5 A.M." Thus there is virtually no way that any public health department  -- from local or county to the Federal level -- would have taken notice of this abortion-related death.

In addition to her parents, Toni Lyn left behind two sisters, a brother, and her grandparents.

There are only two articles available online regarding Toni Lyn's death so I'm unable to provide any further information. 

Sources:

• Death certificate
• "Parents Say Abortion Caused Death," The San Antonio Light, February 26, 1975
• "Abortion Clinic Facing Suit," San Antonio Express, February 27, 1975