KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The Knoxville Police Department Homicide Unit has opened an investigation into the death of a Knoxville nurse in October of this year.
KPD said it was notified by the Knox County Forensic Center that 61-year-old Janice Allison's death was classified as a homicide.
10News obtained Allison's autopsy report from the Knox County Regional Forensic Center. It lists Allison's cause of death as complications of a left hip fracture.
The narrative summary of the autopsy report said two patients started fighting at East Tennessee Behavioral Health Hospital on Sept. 23. Allison intervened, the report said.
At 8:55 a.m., the autopsy's summary said an ambulance transported Allison from East Tennessee Behavioral Health to Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center. The report said Allison underwent surgery for a broken hip and developed complications including respiratory failure sepsis, pneumonia, myocardial injury, among others.
The autopsy report said as Allison stayed in the hospital, her health gradually declined until she died more than a month after the injury, on Oct. 25.
KPD said in a release it was made aware of the incident and Allison's death, and has officially opened an investigation based on the Medical Examiner’s cause of death.
KPD's Homicide Unit is working with the Medical Examiner’s Office and the Knox County District Attorney’s Office.
No charges have been filed at this time.
10News learned of Allison's death shortly after it happened in October. The manner of death was not confirmed as homicide until the autopsy was released to WBIR on Dec. 1. Out of respect to the family, WBIR waited to report Allison's death until now.
A statement from East Tennessee Behavioral Health is below:
“Our deepest sympathies go out to the family of Jan Allison. Jan was a wonderful friend, colleague and member of our East Tennessee Behavioral Health team who worked tirelessly to assist our patients. She will be greatly missed. We are cooperating fully with the Knoxville Police Department as they conduct the investigation. Because East Tennessee Behavioral Health places the utmost importance on the safety and privacy of our patients and employees; we cannot comment further.”
Acadia Healthcare Company entered into a joint venture with Covenant Health to open the hospital on Old Weisgarber Road in 2022. The facility has 90 inpatient beds to provide mental and behavioral healthcare to adolescents, adults and seniors.