- Michigan Hyperbaric Chamber Fatality Update
Court Proceedings Advance Against Four Defendants in Child’s Death
The investigation into the fatal hyperbaric chamber explosion that killed 5-year-old Thomas Cooper in Troy, Michigan, on January 31, 2025, is moving forward in court. The incident occurred at the Oxford Center, a facility offering hyperbaric oxygen therapy for conditions such as autism and ADHD.
From left, Tamela Peterson, Gary Marken, Jeffrey Mosteller and Aleta Moffitt. – Oakland County Sheriff’s Office In March, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced charges against four individuals. Tamela Peterson, 58, CEO of the Oxford Center; Jeffrey Mosteller, 64, Safety Manager; and Gary Marken, 65, primary management assistant, were each charged with one count of Second-Degree Murder, a potential life offense, or alternatively, one count of Involuntary Manslaughter, punishable by up to 15 years in prison. Aleta Moffitt, 60, the technician operating the chamber that day, faces one count of Involuntary Manslaughter and one count of Intentionally Placing False Information on a Medical Record, a four-year felony.
According to the Attorney General’s office, the hyperbaric chamber ignited from the inside and burst into flames while Cooper was receiving treatment. Officials stated that both the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and Sechrist, the chamber manufacturer, publish strict safety protocols, which the defendants allegedly disregarded. “This tragedy could have been prevented if proper safety protocols were followed,” Attorney General Nessel said. “Instead, deliberate negligence and a blatant disregard for safety cost a child his life.”
Court Proceedings and Facility Inspections
On April 30, all four defendants appeared for a probable cause conference. Attorneys agreed that an inspection of the Troy facility was necessary before preliminary hearings could continue. A temporary restraining order remained in place to preserve evidence. Marken’s bond conditions, including restrictions on travel and church attendance, were reviewed by Judge Maureen McGinnis.
By May 28, additional conferences addressed delays and evidence handling. The defense raised concerns over access to discovery materials and whether privileged communications were affected. The court scheduled further hearings to finalize evidence protocols.
Patients undergoing treatment in Sechrist hyperbaric chambers at The Oxford Center – theoxfordcenter.com Recent Motions and Statements
On July 14, Peterson returned to court for a motion hearing regarding law enforcement’s handling of her electronic devices. The motion was denied after Assistant Attorney General Chris Kessel argued there was no evidence of improper access. However, the court approved Peterson’s request to visit the Oxford Center’s Brighton location under strict conditions to facilitate a property sale.
Throughout the investigation, Troy Police Chief Josh Jones stated, “These arrests reflect the dedication and commitment of our investigators.” The criminal probe was led by the Troy Police Department in coordination with the Attorney General’s office.
Next Steps
The preliminary examinations are scheduled for September 15 and 16, 2025. The court will determine whether the charges—including second-degree murder, involuntary manslaughter, and falsification of medical records—will proceed to trial. As proceedings advance, questions remain about whether industry fire safety standards were followed and whether regulatory gaps contributed to the incident.
Thomas Cooper, 5, was killed in a hyperbaric chamber explosion on Jan. 31, 2025. (Cooper Family) Sources:
Michigan Department of Attorney General – Press Release
⚠️ Choose an Accredited Hyperbaric Therapy Provider for Your Safety ⚠️
Prospective and current hyperbaric patients must exercise due diligence. Use the links below to find accredited facilities that follow strict safety protocols—and report any that do not.
✅ Search for accredited hyperbaric facilities
✅ Download current list of accredited hyperbaric facilities
✅ Report hyperbaric-related incidents and accidents
- Hyperbaric Chamber Fatality Raises Safety Concerns as Therapist Dies in Arizona Flash Fire
Dr. Walter Foxcroft
Handout / Havasu Health and HyperbaricsOn Wednesday, July 9, 2025, Dr. Walter Foxcroft, a 43-year-old physical therapist, tragically died after a flash fire erupted inside a hyperbaric chamber at his clinic, Havasu Health and Hyperbarics, located in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. This incident marks the second hyperbaric chamber fatality this year, following a similar tragedy in Michigan involving the death of a 5-year-old boy.
Foxcroft, who founded his integrative hyperbaric wellness center in 2024, used Fortius 420 hyperbaric chambers manufactured by Oxyhealth. Shannon Kenitz, the executive director of the International Hyperbarics Association (IHA), noted that Foxcroft had completed the association’s safety training and described him as “very passionate about hyperbaric therapy.”
Oxyhealth Fortius 420 hyperbaric chambers manufactured by Oxyhealth.
— Source: Havasu Health and Hyperbarics website havasuhealth.comHowever, safety protocols at facilities using Oxyhealth chambers often fall short of stringent guidelines. In many hyperbaric clinics that use these chambers, patients are not required to wear all-cotton clothing and are even permitted to bring personal items like cell phones, laptops, and iPads into the chambers, significantly increasing fire risks. The exact circumstances surrounding Foxcroft’s presence inside the chamber at the time of the incident remain unclear.
Havasu Health and Hyperbarics receiving delivery of two Oxyhealth Fortius 420 hyperbaric chambers.
— Source: Havasu Health and Hyperbarics Facebook PostThe Lake Havasu City Fire Department responded promptly to the emergency call at around 10:50 p.m., discovering smoke throughout the building and the chamber intact but showing evidence of a flash fire. Foxcroft was pronounced dead at the scene. The community mourns the loss of Foxcroft, who was remembered fondly as a dedicated professional and beloved figure.
Given these tragic events, questions have emerged regarding the compliance of Havasu Health and Hyperbarics with NFPA 99 fire codes, which mandate strict safety standards for facilities utilizing oxygen in hyperbaric chambers. Additionally, scrutiny of the IHA’s safety and certification courses is necessary to determine if their current protocols adequately prevent such tragedies. Further investigation is crucial to enhance safety measures and prevent future incidents.
The article was updated on July 13, 2025 to include verified sources identifying the make and model of the hyperbaric chamber referenced.
This site is committed to timely and accurate reporting. If substantial new information becomes available, a separate update will be published.
Sources:
Official Website of Lake Havasu City – Flash Fire in Hyperbaric Chamber
Havasu Health and Hyperbarics Press Release
Havasu Heath and Hyperbarics – Website | Facebook Page
International Hyperbaric Association (IHA) Safety and Certification Course
⚠️ Choose an Accredited Hyperbaric Therapy Provider for Your Safety ⚠️
Prospective and current hyperbaric patients must exercise due diligence. Use the links below to find accredited facilities that follow strict safety protocols—and report any that do not.
✅ Search for accredited hyperbaric facilities
✅ Download current list of accredited hyperbaric facilities
✅ Report hyperbaric-related incidents and accidents
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