Police, firefighters and paramedics from Buffalo Grove responded shortly before 9:00 a.m. Tuesday, June 16, 2026 to a call from a hospice service provider where a male and female married couple in their 80s, and a male in his 60s were found in grave condition at a home in the block of 200 Timber Hill Road in Buffalo Grove.
According to the Cook County Medical Examiners Office …
a male, Mark Cavins, age 60, was pronounced deceased at 9:02 a.m. Tuesday, June 16,
a male, Harold Cavins, age 81, was pronounced deceased at 9:03 a.m.Tuesday, June 16, and
a female, Helen Cavins, age 88, was pronounced deceased at 9:29 p.m., Tuesday, June 16, 2026, after EMS transport and hospital admission to Endeavor Northwest Community Hospital.
Harold Cavins, age 81, and Helen Cavins, age 88, were in home hospice care.
After the initial investigation, Buffalo Grove Police Department indicated there is no foul play suspected, and the deaths are “a coincidence.” However, the investigation will not be closed until reports are complete from the Cook County Medical Examiner. The police department did not indicate whether drugs were found at the scene.
Hospice care kits available from hospice service providers feature standard medications for the following conditions:
Pain & Shortness of Breath:
Liquid Morphine is the most common medication administered orally with a small syringe (no needle), and is used to manage acute pain and alleviate feelings of breathlessness or “air hunger”. Morphine isn’t considered a drug that hastens death if administered appropriately, but is usually the last drug of choice to alleviate suffering in a hospice situation. An overdose of morphine can cause death, primarily by causing respiratory arrest. Experts advise that proper morphine administration does not hasten death. However, at least one hospice provider, Hospice of the Chesapeake, indicates that suffering can hold back death; and that while morphine doesn’t make death happen, it removes the barrier (suffering) that may be preventing death.
Anxiety & Restlessness:
Lorazepam (Ativan) is used to calm anxiety, agitation, and terminal restlessness.
Nausea & Vomiting:
Drugs like Haloperidol (Haldol), Ondansetron (Zofran), or Promethazine are provided in liquid or dissolvable forms to ease nausea.
Respiratory Secretions:
Atropine drops are placed under the tongue to reduce mucus production, effectively treating the “death rattle” (wet, gurgling breathing).
Fever & Constipation:
Acetaminophen suppositories for fever or discomfort, and laxatives (like Senna or Bisacodyl) for medication-induced constipation.
Initially, the Cook County Medical Examiners Office did not indicate the manner or cause of death.
There were two elderly patients in the home that were involved in hospice care, according to the Buffalo Grove Police Department.
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