Lawsuit Filed Against Las Vegas Hotel Following Death of Much Loved ‘One in a Million’ Dad

William Howell tragically lost his life in August 2023, and his family have filed a wrongful death lawsuit.

The family of A British man who died in tragic circumstances at a Las Vegas hotel have filed a lawsuit filed in Nevada’s Eighth Judicial District Court, the lawsuit claims that Mr. Howell’s death resulted from the negligence of the hotel staff as well as the medical responders. The 37-year-old was allegedly left to die alone at Sin City’s famous Aria Casino Hotel.

His wife Emma and sons Louis and Jack have filed a five-count civil naming Aria, its parent company MGM Resorts International, Community Ambulance, the hotel's security firm, and the two medics as defendants. The lawsuit alleges that had Mr Howell received proper care at any stage - at the airport, upon arriving at Aria, or even later that night - he would likely have survived.

Lawsuit Could Run into Millions of Dollars

It is understood that Mr Howells from, Newton Abbot in Devon became ill during his attempt to fly to London from Harry Reid International Airport on 30 August 2023.  

Unfortunately, the flight was delayed as medical assistance was requested. As a precaution staff placed Mr Howell into a wheelchair and an ambulance was called.

The two medica who attended the incident were Alexandra Gangemi and Dominique Johnson who arrived at 8.46pm. The pair examined Mr Howells and noted his high blood sugar.  

Medical Staff Spent Two Minutes with Mr Howell

What allegedly followed was a series of events, which it is argued led to the death of the Oxford educated family man. 

It is alleged that the medics “spent no more than two minutes” with the patient before he electronically signed a medical transport refusal form.

Court papers state that the ambulance employees “did not properly inform decedent (Mr Howell) of the consequences of failing to seek attention, did not properly assess decedent’s mental capacity, did not perform the proper testing and did not follow policies and procedures.”

Left in Hotel Room Alone Despite Signs of Being Seriously Ill

The catalogue of incidents leading up to the hours before the death of Mr Howells included the fact that he was visibly unwell but was allowed to take an Uber back to the Aira Casino Hotel where he had been staying.

It is also alleged that upon arrival at the hotel Mr Howell fell out of the vehicle and that that staff ignored clear warning signs despite being told he was diabetic. Mr Howells had helped him to his former room and a new key was issued at 10.10pm.

Pregnant Wife Raised Alarm When Husband Failed to Show at Heathrow

William Howell with his wife, Emma. (Credit: William Howell, Meta & LinkedIn)

When Mr Howell failed to turnup at Heathrow on his scheduled flight his family contacted Aria, urging staff to check his room.

Tragically after 14 hours from the time he was last seen alive staff entered his hotel room to find him unresponsive. 

His cause of death was later confirmed and recorded by the Las Vegas medical examiner as diabetic ketoacidosis, a condition treatable with timely medical intervention.

Las Vegas hotel Staff Accused of Ignoring Man Having Heart Attack

Although the allegations of gross negligence by hotel staff and medics will be dealt with in court it is not the first time a hotel has been embroiled in a case where a guest has died of alleged negligence.  In 2022, a Florida lawyer, David Jagolinzer, suffered a fatal heart attack at a Wynn Las Vegas blackjack table. 

A lawsuit claims staff ignored him for 15 minutes, with the dealer continuing to deal cards as he lay unconscious. He later died from complications, and that case is still ongoing.

Court Hearing Scheduled for March 2025

Mr Howell’s family is seeking damages for negligence, emotional distress, and financial losses. MGM Resorts and Community Ambulance have yet to comment. Johnson, wanna-be model influencer Gangemi, and Community Ambulance have applied to have the case dismissed against them, and a hearing has been scheduled for March 5.

William Howell has been described as a ‘one in a million’ Dad by those who knew him. Friends and family have paid tribute to Mr Howell and organised a number of fund-raising events for diabetes research.

Mr Howell Worked at Cisco and was Former Head of Sales EMEA at Conversion Consulting. He studied at Oxford Brookes University and went to Kings College Taunton. He died aged 31 and leaves his wife Emma Howell and sons Louis and Jack.