NewsLocal News

Actions

Bakersfield woman dies of the flu, marking first flu-related death in Kern County

Michelle Maroney-Placencia died on Jan. 17
Flu takes the life of mother of five
Posted
and last updated

A Bakersfield woman died of the flu this week, according to Kern County Public Health. 

Family members confirmed to 23ABC that Michelle Maroney-Placencia died from complications of the flu on Wednesday, January 17. 

Public Health says her death marks this season's first flu-related death for someone under 65-years-old in Kern County.

RELATED: Flu season hitting Bakersfield hard

Family members told 23ABC on Thursday that Maroney-Placencia, 39, was healthy before she started to feel flu-like symptoms.

Her co-workers at McKinzie Nielsen Real Estate in northwest Bakersfield said she didn't come into work Saturday through Wednesday of last week.

Another family member said Maroney-Placencia was brought to Adventist Health in an ambulance and passed away within an hour.

RELATED: Protecting yourself during flu season

Maroney-Placencia leaves behind a husband and five children.

RELATED: It's not too late to protect yourself from the flu, get your flu shot

,

Weather

Daily Forecast

View Hourly Forecast

Day

Conditions

HI / LO

Precip

Tuesday

07/01/2025

Clear

-° / 72°

0%

Wednesday

07/02/2025

Clear

103° / 73°

0%

Thursday

07/03/2025

Clear

103° / 71°

0%

Friday

07/04/2025

Clear

96° / 67°

0%

Saturday

07/05/2025

Clear

96° / 68°

0%

Sunday

07/06/2025

Clear

98° / 70°

0%

Monday

07/07/2025

Clear

101° / 71°

0%

Tuesday

07/08/2025

Mostly Clear

103° / 73°

0%