APPLETON, Wis. (WFRV) — One day after a jury cleared Ascension Health of wrongdoing in the death of 19-year-old Grace Schara, her family stood on the front lawn of their home and expressed heartbreak, disbelief and a commitment to keep fighting.
Schara died in October 2021 while being treated for COVID-19 at Ascension St. Elizabeth Hospital in Appleton. The family’s landmark wrongful death civil suit alleged that Grace was overmedicated and placed on a do-not-resuscitate (DNR) order without consent.
20-year-old northern Wisconsin man hospitalized after being ejected from corvette during crash
But on Thursday, an Outagamie County jury ruled that Ascension was not liable in her death.
“We are truly lost without her,” Grace’s mother, Cindy Schara, said tearfully. “The world is not as joyful without her, and our lives are very empty.”
The family addressed the media in a press conference on Friday morning. With supporters standing nearby, Scott Schara said the legal strategy had to focus narrowly on what they believed were the clearest issues — the medication Grace received and the disputed DNR order.
“We had to simplify the case,” he said. “We wanted it to be about the overdose and the illegal DNR. We had to make it simple for the jury.”
Attorney Warner Mendenhall, representing the Scharas, acknowledged the disappointment but said the case raised questions that go far beyond the courtroom.
“We lost the ruling, but I think the arguments made were important — just having the time to think about it and argue about it legally,” Mendenhall said.
The family indicated they are considering next steps, which could include an appeal or continued advocacy for medical consent reform. Throughout the press conference, faith remained a theme.
“When God closes one door, he always opens another,” Scott said. “I’m just not sure what that is yet.”
Fond du Lac man dies in fiery early morning crash, investigation underway
The following statement from an Ascension Wisconsin spokesperson was released to Local 5 on Thursday night:
“The loss of a child is heartbreaking and we extend our deepest sympathies to the family. Throughout this process, we have remained confident in the care provided by our team and in the values that guide our work each day. The health, safety and well-being of our patients, associates and community members is our top priority, and we are committed to honoring human dignity and acting with integrity and compassion for all persons.”
Ascension Wisconsin spokesperson
The Schara family says Grace’s story may not have ended with a legal victory, but they believe her life and legacy will continue to spark a conversation about medical ethics, disability rights and family consent.
