In the winter of 2017, the life of a young Asian/Pacific Islander man named Brandon Strauss was cut tragically short at the age of 21. His death on February 21, 2017, in Las Vegas, Nevada, would unravel a distressing story of neglect and unanswered questions. Brandon, a male with special needs including Down syndrome, epilepsy, and autism, was under the care of his adoptive parents, Ross and Yolanda Strauss.
The events leading to Brandon's death began when he sustained severe second- and
third-degree burns over approximately 12 percent of his body. His parents claimed that Brandon had a seizure while in the shower, causing him to accidentally turn up the hot water. Instead of seeking immediate medical attention for the significant injuries, his parents opted to treat the burns at home with ointment and bandages.
As days passed, Brandon's condition deteriorated. His parents noted that the burns began to look worse, described as "weird" and "angry," and started to bleed. Despite these alarming signs, they delayed taking him to a hospital. By the time they decided to seek professional medical help, it was too late. On the morning of February 21st, they found him unresponsive in their home.
An autopsy revealed a grim picture of Brandon's final days. The cause of death was determined to be a combination of polymicrobial gram-negative sepsis from the infected burns, drug intoxication, and medical neglect. The toxicology report showed dangerous levels of diphenhydramine, an antihistamine, and quetiapine, an antipsychotic medication, in his system. Following an investigation into the circumstances of his death, Las Vegas police arrested Ross and Yolanda Strauss. They were charged with murder and multiple counts of abuse of a vulnerable person.
The legal proceedings that followed, however, took an unexpected turn. In November 2017, a judge dismissed the murder charges against both Ross and Yolanda Strauss. The case did not proceed to trial, and they were released from custody. The dismissal of the charges left the tragic circumstances of Brandon Strauss's death without legal resolution, closing a painful chapter for those aware of his story.
