Latest news with #Iliev
Yahoo
06-08-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Cause of Death Revealed for Woman, 57, Who Refused Medical Care for Nearly 4 Decades
Patricia Iliev, 57, weighed just 42 lbs. when she died at her home in Tasmania, Australia in March 2021NEED TO KNOW The cause of death for a woman who refused medical attention for close to four decades has been confirmed at an inquest in Tasmania, Australia Patricia Iliev died at age 57 at her home in the town of Sheffield in March 2021, from starvation, coroner Olivia McTaggart stated in an Aug. 5 report Coroner Olivia McTaggart concluded that Iliev could have likely benefited from medical treatment, adding that it could have saved her life, even in the later stagesThe cause of death for a woman who refused medical attention for close to four decades has been confirmed at an inquest in Australia. Patricia Iliev, from Tasmania, died at age 57 at her home in the town of Sheffield in March 2021, from starvation, coroner Olivia McTaggart stated in an official report dated Tuesday, Aug. 5. During an inquest at the Coroners Court in Hobart, the court heard that Iliev weighed around 42 lbs. when she died after being immobile on her couch in the months before her death and stopping eating during that time, the coroner stated. An autopsy was conducted by Dr. Donald Ritchey, who identified starvation as the primary cause of death, adding that Iliev had less than half the normal body mass index and "no subcutaneous body fat stores." A gastrointestinal stromal tumour of the stomach and advanced lung disease, caused by smoking, were listed as secondary causes of death. Per the Mayo Clinic, a "gastrointestinal stromal tumor, also called a GIST, is a type of cancer that begins in the digestive system. GISTs happen most often in the stomach and small intestine." "A GIST is a growth of cells that's thought to form from nerve cells in the walls of the digestive organs. The nerve cells play a part in the process that moves food through the body," the site adds. A pathology report cited that it was likely the tumor contributed to Iliev having a "depressed appetite." It stated that due to her battling an advanced diagnosis of the chronic lung condition emphysema, this meant she was "also at risk of wasting syndrome in which there may be severe weight loss." Multiple hearings into Iliev's death were previously held in the Tasmanian cities of Devonport and Launceston between May 2022 and September 2024, before findings were handed down in August 2025, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) stated. A previously released Magistrates Court of Tasmania Coronial Division filing regarding the inquest into Iliev's death, said that she'd "last received professional medical attention in 1988." "Since that time she had been well until several years ago when her back began giving her some pain and her mobility became increasingly restricted," the December 2023 document added. Iliev had been being cared for by her partner Philip Adams since 2020, and she hadn't left her home since late that year, the ABC reported, adding that this was due to her suffering "multiple painful back injuries." The inquest explored whether Adams' care could have contributed to Iliev's death, however, the coroner found that although he could have done more, ultimately he "did not do any act to maliciously" result in her dying, per the official report. Adams had given evidence stating that he'd found Iliev deceased on the couch after he'd spent a couple of hours in the garden, before he spent time mourning, as well as cleaning and dressing his partner before contacting a telephone health service. After authorities arrived at the scene in March 2021, Iliev was found to have a "severely emaciated and pallid appearance," the official report stated. During the inquest, Adams stated that Iliev was a very light eater and had never weighed more than around 77 lbs. since he'd known her, the report noted. He claimed she became "pretty much confined to the couch" as she found it easier to use a bedpan and bottle there instead of getting up and going to the restroom. In the six months before Iliev's death, she gradually decreased her food intake, the inquest heard, eventually having just one meal a day to limit the amount she'd have to use the bedpan or a plastic bag. Adams stated that his partner — who had previously fasted throughout her life — had told him in her final week, "Philip, I've decided to stop eating," adding that she'd said "I'll let you know" when questioned when she would eat again. Two to three days before her death, Iliev slipped into a deep sleep and was not responsive, per the report. Adams insisted he chose to follow his partner's wishes by not getting medical treatment for her, despite considering it. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Coroner Olivia McTaggart concluded that Iliev could have likely benefited from medical treatment, adding that it could have saved her life, even in the later stages. "Despite the difficulty in determining the facts surrounding Ms. Iliev's death, I am satisfied that Mr. Adams did not do any act to maliciously cause her death," the coroner said, per the report. "He clearly had affection for her, respected her wishes (or what he believed to be her wishes) and provided her food, water and assistance on the occasions she made requests," McTaggart went on, stating that it's possible mental illness played a part in Iliev's decision-making. The Coroners Court in Hobart didn't immediately respond when contacted by PEOPLE for additional information. If you or someone you know needs mental health help, text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis the original article on People
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Yahoo
Body Armor Maker Sued for Mislabeling Plates Sold to Law Enforcement
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced a new lawsuit against body armor manufacturer ShotStop Ballistics from Stow, Ohio, for allegedly importing Chinese-produced plates and labeling them as 'made in Ohio' and compliant with standards from the National Institute of Justice (NIJ), the Department of Justice's testing arm. The lawsuit stated that the alleged actions by ShotStop, its Vallmar Studios affiliate and owner Vall Iliev violated the Consumer Sales Practices Act (CSPA). Most Read on IEN: Trade War Could Put 'Christmas in Danger' IBM to Invest Billions in American Manufacturing Mack Trucks to Lay Off Up to 450, Cites Tariffs PODCAST: Tesla's Odometer Troubles; Mack Layoffs; Tariff Fallout Reports of the alleged scandal surfaced in May 2024 when the U.S. Department of Homeland Security warned the Akron Police Department that its SWAT officers were using counterfeit ballistic plates, according to Ohio television station WKYC. A police department spokesperson said it was his understanding that ShotStop was accused of providing the fake armor. ShotStop had filed for bankruptcy about a week before the report. Yost's lawsuit stems from a cross-agency investigation regarding the allegations. In February, the DOJ charged Iliev with smuggling the armor and selling it to customers that included law enforcement from around 2017 to October 2023. In May 2023, U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents at a Washington port of entry stopped a Canadian-registered truck transporting over 200 ballistic body armor plates in boxes from China. The agents found the boxes pre-labeled and addressed to Vallmar Studios. Test results revealed that the plates did not meet NIJ standards for Level III protection, which can stop 7.62-millimeter FMJ lead core rifle ammunition. The company marketed the armor as Level III and IV. According to the DOJ release, Iliev allegedly collaborated with a Chinese broker company to find cheap manufacturers to make the body armor. The DOJ said Iliev would tell his employees to attach the false labels before selling the products. The agency noted that ShotStop's U.S. location had no means of producing the thousands of body armor plates that investigators found. Yost's lawsuit seeks restitution for consumers who purchased the defective bulletproof vests. The lawsuit noted that realizing the extent of consumer losses will require further legal discovery because of ShotStop's bankruptcy filing and the federal government's seizure of company records. Click here to subscribe to our daily newsletter featuring breaking manufacturing industry news.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Yahoo
Attorney General Dave Yost sues ShotStop Ballistic for selling smuggled body armor to police
[Watch in the player above: Fake body armor was sold to Akron Police Department's SWAT team.] COLUMBUS, Ohio (WJW) — A Stow man who sold counterfeit body armor smuggled from China to law enforcement agencies, passing it off as locally made, is now being targeted by the state's top lawman. Attorney General Dave Yost has sued Vall Iliev, his company and an affiliate for violations of the Consumer Sales Practices Act, according to a Wednesday news release. Ohio Supreme Court declines to review appeal of Mackenzie Shirilla, imprisoned for life in July 2022 double-fatal crash 'Armor is meant to save lives, not sell lies,' Yost is quoted in the release. 'Consumers deserve to know that this type of equipment is going to provide the protection promised.' Iliev's business, Stow-based ShotStop Ballistics, marketed and sold body armor claimed to have been made in-house by Ilev's affiliate, Vallmar Studios, and certified by the National Institute of Justice for safety standards. But a federal and state investigation found the Chinese-made armor was falsely labeled, and that it 'did not meet safety standards necessary to protect users,' reads the release. Testing performed at a ballistics laboratory found the plates failed to meet the standard that was advertised, federal prosecutors said in a previous news release. Prosecutors said Iliev spent years working with a Chinese broker to find cheaply made body armor, which was shipped to Vallmar Studios. There, employees were told to put made-in-America and testing certification stickers on the goods. 'I messed up' man says at sentencing for doctor's death Iliev pleaded guilty in March to conspiracies to smuggle and traffic in counterfeit goods and to commit mail and wire fraud in Ohio's Northern District federal court. He remains free on a $20,000 unsecured bond and is due for sentencing on July 8, court records show. Yost's new lawsuit seeks restitution for those who bought the defective armor. The business went bankrupt in 2023 and its were assets seized by the government, meaning a full account of customers' losses will take more investigation, according to the release. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Yahoo
Vall Iliev charged with smuggling body armor from China, selling it to police as American-made
[Watch in the player above: Fake body armor was sold to Akron Police Department's SWAT team.] CLEVELAND (WJW) — Federal authorities have charged a Stow man with smuggling body armor plates made in China, then selling them to law enforcement agencies as American-made goods. Vall Iliev, 69, of Stow, is accused of importing body armor from the People's Republic of China, then giving it a fake trademarked label to pass it off as a domestic product. Indiana woman accused of marrying her biological father The scheme went on from 2017 to October 2023, according to a Wednesday news release from Carol Skutnik, acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio. In May 2023, U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents at the U.S.-Canada border in Washington intercepted a truck carrying more than 200 ballistic body armor plates, concealed in pre-packaged boxes inside a large shipping container — a technique used by smugglers to evade port authorities. The manufacturer of the plates could not be discerned, but they were marked as originating in China. The hidden boxes were pre-labeled with the address of Iliev's Stow business, Vallmar Studios, according to the release. Authorities found the site to be a warehouse Iliev was using to process the smuggled body armor before selling it through ShotStop Ballistics, which he also owns. The shop marketed the body armor as being 'Made in Stow, Ohio,' and as having ballistics testing certifications — of which investigators could find no actual evidence. Testing performed later at a ballistics lab found the plates failed to meet the standard that was advertised, according to the release. Prosecutors say Iliev spent years working with a Chinese broker to find cheaply made body armor, which was shipped to Vallmar Studios. There, employees were told to put made-in-America and testing certification stickers on the goods. Some of the stickers designated the goods as being 'Level III+' or 'Level IV+HD' certified, 'which are non-existent designations,' reads the release. Investigators at Iliev's Stow businesses found no means of making body armor, though they did find a laser printer used to make the marketing stickers, according to the release. Though Iliev's companies had once held a valid ballistics certification through the National Institute of Justice, the ballistic resistance of the Chinese body armor plates was never tested under the institute's standards, which 'are crucial for buyers to make informed purchases about a product's safety levels,' reads the release. I-Team: Cleveland schools CEO dodges questions on travel costs Iliev is charged by information with counts of conspiracy to smuggle goods into the U.S., conspiracy to traffic in counterfeit goods and conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud. No future court dates have been set. Anyone who purchased ballistic body armor from ShotStop from 2018 onward is urged to stop using it. They're also encouraged to send a copy of their invoice on the product to faultyarmor@ with the subject heading 'ShotStop Invoice,' no later than April 7. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
