Mx. Daxer – Page 37 – Disability Day of Mourning

Brian Cotter

Name: Brian Cotter.
Died: “A few days after” May 17, 2021.
Age at death: 15.
Cause of death: Gunshot.
Location: Fresno, California, USA.
Disability: Autism.

Details:
Brian’s brother called 911 to report that Brian had shot his father and then himself. First responders arrived to find Brian’s father, Patrick, dead and Brian severely injured. Brian would die at the hospital several days later. However, police investigated Brian’s brother’s story, found that it did not match the evidence, and arrested him for the double murder. At trial, the prosecution would prove that Brian’s brother had set up the killings to look like a murder-suicide in order to pin the blame on his autistic brother.

Brian and his father used to go on walks, and Brian would carry a walkie-talkie to keep in touch with his neighbor. A natural with computers, he created his own cartoon character and made his own films.

Case Status:
Robert Cotter (Brother), convicted of murder, sentenced to life without parole.

Source:
Teen Who Killed Father & Tried to Pin Murder on Autistic Brother is Going to Prison: Reports
Teenager who killed his father and brother in Fresno last year on his way to prison
Teen accused of killing father, brother faces possible death penalty with family support
Detectives say murder-suicide in Fresno was really a double homicide
Victims’ family member arrested in Fresno mobile home park shooting that left 15-year-old autistic son and father dead
“It’s going to be a loss to us”: Neighbors react to alleged mobile home park murder
Autism Memorial: Brian Cotter

Margarita Sandoval

Name: Margarita “Maggie” Sandoval.
Died: May 13, 2021 (Body found; reported missing in 2018).
Age at death: 19.
Cause of death: Homicide.
Location: Norman, Oklahoma, USA.
Disability: Mental illness, special needs.

Details:
Three years after she was reported missing, police received a tip that led them to Margarita’s body wrapped up in the basement of a home. When questioned, the homeowner said that a friend of his, Margarita’s brother, had asked to store some things in his basement; the homeowner was unaware that one of the items was Margarita’s body. Margarita had stayed with her brother and his wife around the time she vanished in 2018. She had reported that they were abusing her. Margarita’s brother and his wife had also been receiving Social Security money intended for Margarita.

Case Status:
Octavio Julian Sanchez (Brother), charged with first-degree murder and unlawful removal of a dead body; pleaded guilty to manslaughter.
Desiree Sanchez (Sister-in-law), convicted of first-degree murder and unlawful removal of a dead body, sentenced to life in prison.

Source:
Man pleads guilty to manslaughter after murder of half-sister
Man Accused Of Killing His Sister Takes Blind Plea Deal To Avoid Trial
Oklahoma woman sentenced for killing disabled sister-in-law for social security checks
Couple who allegedly murdered relative sentenced for collecting her social security
2 suspects expected in court after being accused of leaving body in Norman basement
Norman Police arrest two in connection to 2018 homicide after body found in 2021
Couple arrested, charged with murder in death of Margarita Sandoval
Norman police conducting murder investigation after decomposed body found in basement
‘Everyone Let Her Down’: Relative Speaks Out After Woman’s Body Is Found In Norman Basement
Dead woman’s body wrapped in layers of plastic found in Norman home, court document reveals shocking new detailsO

Wendy Cole

Name: Wendy Cole.
Died: May 11, 2021.
Age at death: 70.
Cause of death: Stabbed.
Location: March, Cambridgeshire, England, UK.
Disability: Unspecified; used mobility scooter.

Details:
Wendy’s son stabbed her to death.

Wendy was a friendly woman who could often be seen at the shops on her mobility scooter.

Case Status:
John Cole (Son), found guilty of murder, sentenced to 11 years to life.

Sources:
Life sentence for Cambs man who stabbed mum to death
Man who murdered his mum as he struggled to look after her is sentenced to life in prison
Man arrested after elderly disabled woman ‘murdered’ at home
Elderly disabled woman found dead in bungalow as man, 35, arrested over murder
Carer son Googled about slitting mum’s throat days before murdering her

Jordan Brooks

Name: Jordan Brooks, also called Jordan Motto.
Died: May 9. 2021.
Age at death: 17.
Cause of death: Infection, malnutrition.
Location: Palermo, New York, USA.
Disability: Cerebral palsy.

Details:
Jordan was pronounced dead soon after he was brought to the hospital, malnourished and with multiple infected bedsores.

He was a 10th-grade honor roll student. Teachers repeatedly begged child protective services for help as they saw Jordan being left in his wheelchair, unbathed, for long periods of time; they warned authorities that Jordan’s health was declining, but their reports were not acted on. After he died, his mother cashed his social security checks and used the money for herself.

Jordan loved loud music, participated in the Special Olympics, hated scary movies, and liked fishing and Mario Kart. His favorite meal was turkey and mashed potatoes.

Case Status:
Lisa Waldron (Mother), pleaded guilty to manslaughter and assault, sentenced to 20 years.
Anthony Waldron (Stepfather), convicted of second-degree murder, criminally negligent homicide and first-degree endangering the welfare of an incompetent or physically disabled person, sentenced to 29 years to life.

Sources:
Stepfather of Jordan Brooks sentenced for role in teen’s death
New NY law requires training for mandatory reporters on disabled kids after Jordan Brooks’ death
Senator Mannion’s Legislation To Help Child Protective Services Workers And Mandatory Reporters Identify Abuse Of Children With Intellectual Or Developmental Disabilities Is Signed Into Law
Jury selection begins in murder trial for Anthony Waldron in death of stepson Jordan Brooks
Jordan Brooks’ stepfather next to face trial in young man’s death
Neglected and ignored: Trial reveals lack of action in tragic death of Jordan Brooks
Mom of Jordan Brooks testifies in husband’s murder trial: I loved my son with all my heart
More details emerge at murder trial on what killed 17-year-old Jordan Brooks
Anthony Waldron found guilty of murder in the death of his 17-year-old stepson Jordan Brooks
A kitchen full of food, a filthy wheelchair: Exhibits in Anthony Waldron’s murder trial
Jordan Brooks’ mom sentenced to federal prison for stealing dead teen’s disability benefits
Mom ‘slowly killed’ son, stole his benefits for fast food, Victoria’s Secret, feds say
Oswego County woman sentenced for disability benefits theft
Jordan Brooks’ mom sentenced to 20 years in prison for death of her son – syracuse.com
Mother sentenced after her neglected and disabled 17-year old son died at 55 pounds
Mother of Jordan Brooks pleads guilty to manslaughter in son’s death
Jordan Brooks’ mom admits stealing dead teen’s Social Security disability money
Trial date set for Anthony Waldron in death of his step-son Jordan Brooks
New York Couple Indicted for Allegedly Murdering Son Who Had Cerebral Palsy
Accountability in the death of Jordan Brooks, Oswego County teen with cerebral palsy
100 gather for vigil for Jordan Brooks: ‘His smile could light up this town’
Jordan Brooks case: Neglect complaints in 2 states, 3 counties in 11 years, but danger remained
Statement from Oswego County DSS Commissioner Stacy Alvord
Oswego County Sheriff’s investigation details parents’ alleged negligence in 17-year-old disabled boy’s death
Mom, Boyfriend Charged in Death of 8-Year-Old Autistic Boy in the Bronx
CPS showed ‘hostility and annoyance’ when teachers tried helping disabled teen who died
Teachers kept warning about the failing health of Jordan Brooks until the day he died
Couple Arrested After Extensive Investigation Of Child’s Death
Parents arrested in possible child homicide
Deputies: Teen with cerebral palsy died from neglect, mom and step-father arrested
Oswego County couple charged in death of 17-year-old son with cerebral palsy, deputies say
Mexico Academy and Central High School announces honor roll

Tam

No Photo Tam (Family name unknown).
Died: April 24, 2021.
Age at death: 85.
Cause of death: Murder-suicide.
Location: North Point, Hong Kong.
Disability: Parkinson’s disease.

Details:
Tam, age 85, was killed by her husband, who then killed himself. The case was initially thought to be a double suicide before evidence came to light that Tam had been murdered.

Case status:
Yung (Husband); deceased. Ruled murder-suicide.

Source:
Hong Kong police reclassify case to murder-suicide after evidence suggests elderly man might have killed his chronically ill wife before hanging himself
Tragic couple end struggle in death pact

Lourdi Ramadan

Name: Lourdi “Lordy” Ramadan.
Died: April 23, 2021.
Age at death: 48.
Cause of death: Homicide.
Location: Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.
Disability: Fibromyalgia.

Details:
Lordy was found dead inside the home she and her partner, who also served as her caregiver, shared, along with the body of her partner.

Lordy used to buy coffee for, and give money to, her homeless neighbors. She would do anything for her family.

Case Status:
Craig Bouma (Partner), committed suicide.

Source:
Family of woman who died in suspected murder-suicide says there were no signs her partner might kill her
Woman found stuffed into chest named as chilling note emerges
Brother of woman who died in suspected murder-suicide says there were no signs her partner might kill her
Help bring Lordy home, organized by Alex Ramadan
‘Taken too soon’: Woman found in Gold Coast chest identified, as family starts fundraiser
‘Tragic event’: Woman found in furniture chest in suspected Gold Coast murder-suicide identified
Tributes flow after suspected Gold Coast murder suicide
Gold Coast murder-suicide victim mourned by her heartbroken family

9-year-old boy

No Photo Name Unknown.
Died: April 21, 2021.
Age at death: 9.
Cause of death: Drowning.
Location: Port St. Lucie, Florida, USA.
Disability: Autism.

Details:
This 9-year-old boy lived with his father in a house with an old, dirty swimming pool out back. There was no fence around the pool, nor safety locks on the door to the outside. Child protective services has reported that he had once been found wandering alone outside.

On the day he died, the boy’s father reported that he had left the back door open, and the boy had fallen into the pool. Instead of calling emergency services, he called the child’s mother, and then only called emergency services when she told him to do so. At first reluctant to retrieve the child from the pool because he was afraid of water and could not swim, he finally fished him out with a rake and did CPR. The boy was declared brain-dead at the hospital.

Case Status:
Gareth Grant (Father), pleaded no contest to aggravated manslaughter; sentenced to one year of community control and five years of probation.

Source:
Port St. Lucie man enters plea deal sparing him prison time in drowning of 9-year-old son
Port St. Lucie Police Detectives Arrest Man for Aggravated Manslaughter of a Child in Drowning Death of His Son
Father jailed on aggravated manslaughter of a child charge after son’s death in Port St. Lucie
Man arrested in connection with son’s drowning death in Port St. Lucie
Dad arrested for manslaughter after 9-year-old autistic son found at bottom of pool
Port St. Lucie man charged with manslaughter in autistic son’s drowning
Autism Memorial: 9-year-old boy

Melissia Hinton-Miller

Name: Melissia Hinton-Miller.
Died: April 20, 2021.
Age at death: 65.
Cause of death: Shot.
Location: East Pennsboro, Pennsylvania, USA.
Disability: Unspecified; wheelchair user.

Details:
Melissia and her daughter Joanna were both shot by Melissia’s husband shortly after the police, who were there on a domestic violence call, left. Melissia survived ten days in the hospital before dying from her injuries.

Case Status:
John Miller (Husband), pleaded guilty to murder, sentenced to life.

Source:
Man accused of killing daughter faces more charges after wife dies from her injuries
Cumberland County man pleads guilty to killing wife and daughter

Jax Ponomarenko

Name: Jax Ponomarenko.
Died: March 25, 2021.
Age at death: 5.
Cause of death: Beaten with baseball bat.
Location: Parma, Ohio, USA.
Disability: Autism.

Details:
Jax’s father called 911, saying, “I’ve killed my son,” and claimed he had been hearing voices. He then described how he had beaten the boy to death with a baseball bat.

Jax used a tablet to communicate.

Case Status:
Matthew Ponomarenko (Father), pleaded guilty to aggravated murder, kidnapping, and child endangerment; sentenced to 45 years to life.

Source:
Parma father who beat 5-year-old son to death with baseball bat avoids death penalty, will spend life in prison
Autism Memorial: Jax Ponomarenko
Man Pleads Not Guilty After 911 Call Shows Alleged Confession in Baseball Bat Murder of 5-Year-Old Son
Matthew J Ponomarenko: Parma dad beats autistic son with baseball bat, calls 911: ‘I’m hearing voices’
5-year-old boy killed in Parma, boy’s father arrested, police say
Matthew Ponomarenko beats autistic son, Jax, 5, to death w/ baseball bat
GRAPHIC: ‘I just killed my son after hearing voices,’ Parma, Ohio dad tells 911 dispatcher
Ohio dad admits killing autistic 5-year-old son with baseball bat

Kayla Estevez

Name: Kayla Estevez.
Died: March 24, 2021.
Age at death: 26.
Cause of death: Strangled.
Location: New York City, New York, USA.
Disability: Bipolar disorder.

Details:
Kayla died from strangulation while staying in a hotel with her boyfriend. Police charged her boyfriend with second-degree murder, noting that her body was covered in bruises. Her family says that Kayla had been in a long-term abusive relationship with her boyfriend, who took advantage of her using her bipolar disorder.

Kayla took ballet lessons and enjoyed drawing and expressing herself in poetry.

Case Status:
Ernest Wright (Boyfriend), charged with second-degree murder and drug possession.

Source:
‘Defies all logic and reason’: Homeless man accused of strangling girlfriend in Times Square hotel claimed she ‘did this to herself,’ prosecutors say
‘My best friend’: Brother of woman strangled by homeless boyfriend in Times Square hotel saw the tragedy coming