Mike Heslin, a star of the Hallmark series “Lioness,” has passed away unexpectedly, prompting his husband, Scotty Dynamo, to file a wrongful death lawsuit. The legal action, initiated on September 18, 2024, claims that staff at Javier’s, located within the Aria Hotel in Las Vegas, obstructed lifesaving efforts during a critical medical emergency.
The lawsuit alleges that during an outing with friends, Heslin, aged 35, exhibited clear signs of a medical crisis. According to court documents, while bystanders attempted to administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), an employee reportedly intervened to prevent a woman from continuing compressions. The filing asserts that restaurant staff neglected to utilize an automated external defibrillator (AED), which could have potentially saved Heslin’s life.
Dynamo’s complaint outlines a troubling series of events. As he and his friends attempted to assist Heslin, they claim staff at Javier’s “forcefully removed” them from the premises, even threatening arrest for their intervention. The lawsuit cites negligence and gross negligence, accusing the defendants of failing to train employees adequately and of making “avoidable failures” that directly contributed to Heslin’s death.
In a separate account obtained by Us Weekly, Dynamo recounted the harrowing experience, stating that after Heslin collapsed, immediate calls for help were made. Witnesses tried to render aid, but the response from the staff was less than supportive. The suit contends that neither Javier’s nor the Aria Resort activated their emergency protocols or deployed the AED during this critical time.
Dynamo is seeking damages exceeding $30,000, which includes funeral expenses and punitive damages. Additionally, a claim under Nevada statutes notes $15,000 in damages related to the alleged negligence.
In response to the lawsuit, MGM Resorts International, the parent company of the Aria Hotel, issued a statement denying the accusations. They emphasized that the claims do not align with the facts and expressed their intention to address the matter through the legal system.
Dynamo had previously shared the heartbreaking news of Heslin’s passing on Instagram in July 2024, revealing that his husband died from an “unexpected cardiac arrest.” He expressed his devastation over the loss, describing Heslin as “young, in perfect health” and his “soulmate.”
As the case unfolds, the implications of the lawsuit could bring significant scrutiny to the emergency response protocols at hospitality venues. This tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of timely medical assistance in life-threatening situations.
