Family demands investigation after woman dies at New York Hospital

29‑year‑old Denise Williams went to Queens Hospital Center to seek treatment for postpartum depression. Yet within 48 hours, the young mother unexpectedly died, and now her family is demanding answers.

What Happened To Denise Williams?

Just a few weeks after giving birth to her second child, Williams sought emergency psychiatric care at Queens Hospital Center for severe perinatal mood and anxiety disorder (PMAD), often called postpartum depression.

On Aug. 30, two days after she was admitted, Williams’ mother, Linda Magee, received a call from an unknown 212 number. The coroner informed Magee that her daughter had died and that she needed to identify the body.

After that call, obtaining information about Denise’s death became extremely difficult. New York City’s Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, Queens Hospital, and the New York City Health + Hospitals Corporation allegedly refused to explain what happened.

Only after protests and media pressure did New York City Health + Hospitals Corporation release information. They stated that Williams died from a pulmonary embolism — a blood clot that traveled to her lungs.

Denise Williams sought treatment for depression but ended up dead

Now, serious questions are being raised about the nature of Williams’ death and the care she received at Queens Hospital.

Denise Williams experienced some of the most severe mental and physical complications that new parents can face during the fourth trimester — the 12‑week period after giving birth.

By the time she finally reached emergency psychiatric care, after weeks without treatment, hospital staff missed the physical condition that ultimately killed her.

Black maternal mortality rates

Her death highlights what Williams’ family and many birth justice advocates describe as major gaps in maternal health‑care policy, especially around postpartum care.

In New York City, Black women are eight times more likely to die from pregnancy‑related complications.

Since early March 2020, at least four Black women, including Williams, have died giving birth or within 42 days postpartum.

Black women in New York are also more likely to suffer postpartum depression, and studies show that women of color are less likely to receive treatment for disorders like PPD.

Demanding justice

On Nov. 14, Williams’ family and a coalition of birth justice activists held their fourth rally for Denise outside Queens Hospital Center.

Williams’ family wants the state to investigate her death and for the hospital to release the autopsy report.

Abe George, the lawyer representing the family, said he and the family will decide whether to pursue a lawsuit after an expert reviews Williams’ medical records.

“We don’t want condolences, we want answers,” said Charlene Magee, Williams’ maternal aunt.

Magee said she and the rest of Williams’ family will not stop fighting for the families of Black women who have died in New York City hospitals.

“We don’t want Denise to be ignored,” Magee said. “We are going to be out here every day. You’re going to hear from our family.”

Denise Williams left behind two daughters. The family created a GoFundMe to help support them.