Nearly two weeks after Ronald Silver, a Baltimore sanitation worker, died from extreme heat exhaustion while on duty, his family remains in the dark about the circumstances surrounding his death.

“Our family is devastated. Ronald was our pillar of strength,” said Renee Meredith, Silver’s aunt. “His untimely passing has left us shattered and demanding answers.”

The family’s attorney, Thiru Vignarajah, emphasized Silver’s good health prior to the incident. They claim all information about Silver’s death has come from media reports and eyewitness accounts.

Gabrielle Avendano, a Baltimore resident, recounted seeing Silver collapse. She described how he approached her door, desperately seeking water while working in dangerous, triple-digit temperatures. According to Avendano, Silver’s coworkers and supervisors allegedly ignored his pleas for help.

“We need transparency and immediate, honest information from the city,” Vignarajah stated.

The city’s silence on the matter has raised concerns. Legal experts Warren Alperstein and Kurt Nachtman suggest the lack of communication likely stems from potential litigation fears.

“The workers’ compensation case seems straightforward,” Nachtman commented. “Additionally, a negligence lawsuit could be pursued.”

A month before Silver’s death, an Inspector General report highlighted poor working conditions in the Department of Public Works, including broken cooling equipment and inadequate heat safety measures.

“The most alarming aspect is that warning signs were ignored by Baltimore City,” Nachtman added.

While the family explores legal options, sources indicate that the Department of Public Works has been summoned for a City Council investigation hearing next week.