Family says woman found dead in physical therapy center's sauna

By Maurielle Lue
Fox 2 News Reporter

DETROIT (WJBK) -- It's a physical therapy center that opened about two months ago, a place where people go to get well, but Thursday a 58-year-old woman went there and her family says it is where she died.

"We walked in (there) and (saw) her dead on the floor... in the back of the spa," said Barry Yett, the woman's son.   "She looked like she suffered while she was in (there)."

Clementine Yett suffered from lupus, a debilitating and painful disease, but she never gave up.  She was taking physical therapy so she would be healthy enough to take a family vacation.

Her son still reeling from the news of his mother's death struggled to put his pain into words.

"I love you, you know what I'm saying.  I saw her this morning.  I was able to videotape her this morning telling her how proud I was of her trying to walk again," he said.  "She was a sweet lady.  These last couple of months, she wanted me to take her on a cruise."

Family said Clementine Yett was found dead in the sauna.  Her son said she was naked and discolored and appeared to have died a very painful death.

"I don't understand who could put somebody in a sauna room, in a steam room, and just leave her there," said family member Shannon Gross.  "She was handicapped.  I don't understand.  She had lupus, and I just don't know how they could do that to her."

Malik Fuqua owns 1st Priority Physical Therapy on Fenkell in Detroit.  He said the family's allegations are not true and that police reviewed surveillance video of the tragic accident.

Fuqua wouldn't explain what happened, but offered these words to the yet family.

"I regret what happened.  Let the family know that we love them and that we're here for them, and then if there's anything I can do for the family that we're here for them."