Nurenberg, Paris, Heller & McCarthy Investigating Legal Action Against CommuniCare and Others Following Signs of Strangulation on Deceased Resident
CINCINNATI (January 23, 2026) — Nurenberg, Paris, Heller & McCarthy Co., LPA, a Cleveland-based personal injury law firm, is investigating disturbing allegations against CommuniCare Health Services, Inc., Margret J. Thomas Inpatient Care Center in Blue Ash, and EC Nurre Funeral Home, surrounding the possible wrongful death and the burial of Robert Meyer, 84. Trial lawyer Jeffrey Heller is representing the Estate of Robert Meyer for the disturbing circumstances surrounding his death. Days before his death, Mr. Meyer had unmistakable evidence of strangle marks around his neck. Forest Hills Healthcare Center (owned by CommuniCare Health Services, Inc.), Margret J. Thomas Inpatient Care Center in Blue Ash (Cincinnati), and EC Nurre Funeral Home (New Richmond), all proceeded with the interment of Mr. Meyer despite significant resistance from Mr. Meyer’s daughter. After his burial, Mr. Meyer’s daughter took time-stamped photographs of Mr. Meyer to the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, who ordered the body exhumed. After being disinterred, Mr. Meyer was sent to the Hamilton County Coroner’s Office for an autopsy, which revealed a cause of death of “Physical Elder Abuse,” and his death was ruled a “Homicide.”
Forest Hills Healthcare Center, a long-term care and skilled nursing facility in Hamilton County, was responsible for Mr. Meyer’s care for less than two months before his passing. During his time at the facility, Mr. Meyer called 9-1-1 several times for alleged mistreatment. After a severe decline in Mr. Meyer’s health, he was transferred to hospice and died shortly thereafter.
Prior to his death, Mr. Meyer’s daughter visited him at the nursing home and hospice facility and noticed clear dark marks in the shape of fingers around her father’s neck. She took photos of the injuries and questioned why the nursing home and hospice facility did not have answers about what happened. Despite the suspicious circumstances, Mr. Meyer was not sent to the coroner for autopsy, and the hospice doctor signed the death certificate with a cause of death of “Protein-Calorie Malnutrition.” The hospice doctor declared his death as “Natural.” After bringing the evidence to the police, a full investigation began, and the body of Mr. Meyer was quickly exhumed. Following the autopsy, his death certificate was correctly amended to “Physical Elder Abuse,” and his death was deemed a “Homicide.”
“It is indisputable that the circumstances surrounding Mr. Meyer’s death required the nursing home, hospice center, and funeral home to refer this case to the coroner,” said trial lawyer Jeff Heller. “While we are reserving blame until the sheriff’s complete their investigation, the trauma to the Meyer family caused by these facilities, their nurses and doctors, is inexplicable.”
Heller says there are laws in Ohio that require nurses and doctors to refer a case to the coroner, including any death caused under “criminal or other violent means,” or “any suspicious or unusual manner.” The underlying purpose is not only to provide the proper vital statistics but to ensure that any death under these circumstances is properly investigated.
About Nurenberg, Paris, Heller & McCarthy
Nurenberg, Paris, Heller & McCarthy has represented injured Ohioans since 1928. The firm’s track record of success over the past 9 decades makes it one of the top personal injury law firms in Ohio.
The law firm has handled various cases and fought some of the largest and most powerful corporations, hospitals, manufacturers, and trucking and aviation companies on behalf of its clients. Nurenberg, Paris, Heller & McCarthy is dedicated to promoting a culture of giving, and the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Foundation has recognized it as a regional leader in community outreach and involvement. The shareholders serve leadership roles for various professional, civic, and religious organizations throughout the state.
