Family shares heartbreaking update after August dog attack

A Socorro woman hospitalized after an August dog attack has died following months of medical complications that ultimately revealed an advanced, previously undetected cancer.

Eva Kempton, 68, died Dec. 1. Her family held a celebration of life earlier this week.

Her daughter, Patricia Tate, said she is deeply grateful for everyone in Socorro and beyond who supported the family after the attack and throughout her mother’s hospitalization.

“I’ve been posting updates, and the support has meant so much,” she said. “Thank you to everyone who prayed for her and checked on us.”

Patricia Tate said the attack happened while Kempton, who is deaf, was visiting a friend who was in the process of moving. A dog, reportedly tied up on a nearby property, broke free from its chain and mauled Kempton, tearing open her lower face, neck and arms.

Patricia Tate said the attack left her mother with severe injuries, blood clots and a sepsis infection, and she spent weeks being moved between hospitals in Albuquerque, Las Cruces and eventually El Paso. Eva Kempton was finally relocated to a facility just minutes from Patricia Tate’s El Paso home so she could remain by her mother’s side.

Despite initial hints of improvement, Eva Kempton continued to struggle to walk, speak and eat. For two months, Patricia Tate pushed for answers.

“They kept saying she just needed physical therapy,” she said. “But she couldn’t swallow, she couldn’t keep food down. Something wasn’t right.”

Doctors eventually placed a feeding tube and performed an endoscopy—at which point they discovered Eva Tate had widespread cancer. Tumors were found throughout her internal organs, including her throat, stomach, liver, pancreas and colon.

“It was all closing off,” Patricia Tate said. “Her throat, her stomach—everything was full of tumors. I saw the pictures. It was completely blocked.”

Doctors told the family that treatment was no longer possible.

“I’m glad she’s not suffering anymore,” Patricia Tate said. “It was so hard to watch her decline after she had moments of being happy, smiling, wanting to get better.”

A GoFundMe has been set up to help the family:

https://bit.ly/HelpEvaKempton