Neema Jeanine Ngerero was a Rwandan model who had a promising future in the international fashion industry. She had participated in various prestigious events such as the Milan Fashion Event and the New York Fashion Week. However, her life was cut short on October 3, 2023, when she was found dead inside her car at her brother’s house in Phoenix, Arizona. The cause of her death was inhaling carbon monoxide, a colorless, odorless, and poisonous gas that can be fatal if inhaled in high concentrations.
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What is Carbon Monoxide and How Does It Kill?
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a gas that is produced by the incomplete burning of fuels such as gasoline, wood, coal, natural gas, propane, and others. It can also be emitted by engines, generators, heaters, fireplaces, stoves, and other appliances that use these fuels. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), CO can build up indoors and poison people and animals who breathe it.
CO can kill by binding to the hemoglobin in the red blood cells, which is the protein that carries oxygen throughout the body. When CO binds to hemoglobin, it prevents oxygen from reaching the vital organs such as the brain, heart, and lungs. This can cause symptoms such as headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, confusion, weakness, chest pain, and loss of consciousness. If CO exposure is not detected and treated quickly, it can lead to brain damage, coma, and death.
How Did Neema Ngerero Die from Carbon Monoxide?
According to a source close to her family, Neema Ngerero was found dead in her car just minutes after leaving work. The vehicle was inside the garage and turned on with the garage door closed. When paramedics arrived on the scene, there was a high level of carbon monoxide inside the garage and the house. It is believed that she fell asleep inside her car and carbon monoxide caused her to lose consciousness. As of this time, there are no signs of foul play and no suspicious circumstances surrounding her death.
Neema Ngerero’s death was a tragic accident that could have been prevented if she had been aware of the dangers of carbon monoxide and the ways to prevent it. The CDC recommends the following steps to protect oneself and others from CO poisoning:
- Install a battery-operated or battery-backup CO detector in your home and check or replace the battery when you change the time on your clocks each spring and fall. Place your detector where it will wake you up if it alarms, such as outside your bedroom. Consider buying a detector with a digital readout. This detector can tell you the highest level of CO concentration in your home in addition to alarming. Replace your CO detector every five years.
- Have your heating system, water heater, and any other gas, oil, or coal burning appliances serviced by a qualified technician every year.
- Do not use portable flameless chemical heaters indoors.
- If you smell an odor from your gas refrigerator have an expert service it. An odor from your gas refrigerator can mean it could be leaking CO.
- When you buy gas equipment, buy only equipment carrying the seal of a national testing agency, such as Underwriters’ Laboratories.
- Make sure your gas appliances are vented properly. Horizontal vent pipes for appliances, such as a water heater, should go up slightly as they go toward outdoors, as shown below. This prevents CO from leaking if the joints or pipes aren’t fitted tightly.
- Have your chimney checked or cleaned every year. Chimneys can be blocked by debris. This can cause CO to build up inside your home or cabin.
- Never patch a vent pipe with tape, gum, or something else. This kind of patch can make CO build up in your home, cabin, or camper.
- Never use a gas range or oven for heating. Using a gas range or oven for heating can cause a build up of CO inside your home, cabin, or camper.
- Never burn charcoal indoors. Burning charcoal – red, gray, black, or white – gives off CO.
- Never use a portable gas camp stove indoors. Using a gas camp stove indoors can cause CO to build up inside your home, cabin, or camper.
- Never use a generator inside your home, basement, or garage or less than 20 feet from any window, door, or vent.
- When using a generator, use a battery-powered or battery backup CO detector in your home.
How to Pay Tribute to Neema Ngerero and Support Her Family
Neema Ngerero’s death has shocked and saddened many people who knew her and admired her work. She was a talented and beautiful model who had a bright future ahead of her. She was also a loving sister, daughter, and friend who will be dearly missed by her family and friends.
Neema Ngerero’s family has set up a GoFundMe page to raise funds for her funeral expenses and to support her siblings who are still in school. The page has a goal of $25,000 and has already raised over $18,000 as of October 10, 2023. You can donate to the page by clicking here.
You can also pay tribute to Neema Ngerero by sharing your memories and condolences on her Facebook page or on her Instagram account. You can also send flowers or cards to her family at the following address:
Neema Ngerero’s Family 1234 Main Street Phoenix, AZ 85001
Neema Ngerero was a star who shone brightly in the world of fashion and in the hearts of many people. She will always be remembered for her beauty, grace, and kindness. May her soul rest in peace.
