Woman Found Unresponsive in PA Casino Parking Lot is Dead, Confirmed Natural Causes

A woman found unresponsive in the parking lot of a newly opened Pennsylvania casino was confirmed to be dead.

An anonymous 78-year-old is said to have died of natural causes after she was found in a vehicle at Happy Valley Casino early Thursday morning. Officials found the woman after she had endured a “life-threatening medical emergency.” 

Happy Valley Casino only just completed its opening in April following a successful two-day trial run.

Happy Valley Casino guest dead

State College police and Centre LifeLink EMS were sent to the casino parking lot at approximately 3:20 a.m. last Thursday. The police revealed the serious medical incident in a statement issued on Tuesday. 

First responders did their best to resuscitate the woman, but despite their best efforts, the elderly woman succumbed to her medical issues.

“After substantial [life-saving] effort[s,] the female was subsequently pronounced dead, and the Centre County Coroner’s Office and State College Police detectives were called to the scene,” the police wrote.

An investigation revealed that the woman was a Pennsylvania resident. She had preexisting, diagnosed medical conditions that played a part in her death, the statement added.

Happy Valley Casino has not issued a statement on the events of the morning or the aftermath. 

The police also clarified that their investigation is over, meaning that they are satisfied with their conclusion that the victim’s death occurred due to natural causes.

The investigation is over

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) is in charge of regulating all in-state gaming operations, including retail casinos. The body was responsible for requiring the casino’s brief trial period, designed to fully test its technology, communications, and operations, before the casino was approved for a full launch.

According to statecollege.com, PGCB spokesperson Douglas Harbach stated that the Board’s only task in this situation would be to document that it occurred. 

“The incident that occurred is, of course, sad,” Harbach said in an email. “However, it is not the PGCB on-site staff’s role to respond to medical incidents in the parking lot, and would not be in the best position to assist since EMS and local police are far better equipped to deal with the situation.”

Happy Valley Casino — Pennsylvania’s 18th retail facility to receive approval — recently enjoyed its first full day of business on April 27. The property, near Penn State’s campus, had been years in the making and persevered through multiple setbacks for its grand opening.

The property already employs about 380 full-time and part-time staff members, including nearly 100 graduates from its 12-week Dealer School. At full capacity, it will be allowed to house up to 750 slot machines and 40 live-dealer table games after one year.