Borderline Case – Page 3 – Disability Day of Mourning

Nicholas Dean

Photo of Nicholas Dean, a boy with dark hair and light-brown skin, sitting in a wheelchair in front of an electric keyboard. He is wearing glasses and a striped shirt. Name: Nicholas Dean.
Died: March 1, 2017.
Age at death: 31.
Cause of death: Asphyxia.
Location: Bakersfield, California, USA.
Disability: Cerebral palsy.

Details:
Nicholas was drugged, then strangled to death while he was home alone with his adoptive sister and her boyfriend.

He is the second homicide victim in his family. His older brother Jonathan was murdered by their adoptive father in 2014.

Case status:
Nicholas’s death has been ruled a homicide.
Jessica Dean (Adoptive sister), under investigation; possible suspect or witness.
Michael Hernandez (Sister’s boyfriend), under investigation; possible suspect or witness.

Source:
Homicide of disabled man still under review by DA’s office, nearly two years later
Death of disabled man investigated as homicide
Man who took plea deal in alleged murder-for-hire of adopted son has been released from prison
Eyewitness News tip line prompts murder investigation
Homicide claims second brother in troubled adoptive family
The death of a disabled man is being investigated as a homicide
Charges refiled against defendant in Jonathan Dean murder
Homicide of disabled man still under review by DA’s office, nearly two years later

Brandon Strauss

Photo of Brandon Strauss. He is a teenage boy with fair skin. He is wearing a striped polo shirt and his hair is hidden under his bulky helmet. He is leaning on something off to the right of the picture. Name: Brandon Strauss.
Died: February 20, 2017.
Age at death: 21.
Cause of death: Polymicrobial gram negative sepsis, drug intoxication and medical neglect.
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.
Disability: Down syndrome, epilepsy, autism.

Details:
Brandon was badly burned in the shower over 12% of his body. His parents say that while his father was washing him, he had a seizure in the shower and accidentally turned on the hot water, causing second- and third-degree burns. Brandon’s parents covered the burns with ointment and bandages; but they did not seek medical attention.

As several days passed and the burns began to look worse, Brandon’s parents put off taking him to the emergency room–until one morning they found him dead. On autopsy, he was found to have dangerous levels of medication in his body.

Case status:
Yolanda Strauss (Adoptive mother), charged with murder and abuse of a vulnerable person, charges dropped.
Ross Strauss (Adoptive father), charged with murder and abuse of a vulnerable person, charges dropped.

Source:
Autism Memorial: Brandon Strauss
Murder charges against Las Vegas couple dismissed
Las Vegas couple charged with murdering their special needs son, 21
Couple charged with murder in death of their special needs son
Pair face murder charges in Vegas man’s Feb dying – Vegas Review-Journal
Las Vegas couple are charged with murdering their 21-year-old adopted special needs son who was found with lethal levels of medication in his system
Las Vegas couple face murder charge in death of special-needs son
Pair face murder charges in Las Vegas man’s February death
Las Vegas couple suspected in death of their special-needs son indicted

Irene McLean

Photo of Irene McLean, an elderly woman with curly white hair and fair skin, wearing an embroidered sweater. Name: Irene McLean.
Died: January 10, 2017.
Age at death: 96.
Cause of death: Malnutrition, failure to thrive.
Location: Virginia Beach, Virginia, USA.
Disability: Alzheimer’s disease.

Details:
Irene died from malnutrition and multiple rib fractures, after being removed from her home by adult protective services in terrible shape.

Irene visited over 100 countries during her lifetime. She liked swimming, yoga, and dance, and could still do the splits in her late 80s.

Case status:
Cause of death ruled undetermined. Autopsy findings included skin ulcers from abuse or neglect and multiple rib fractures.
Police are questioning family, especially a caregiver who would have been an heir to her estate.

Source:
Malnutrition, Alzheimer’s and broken ribs cause of death for elderly woman taken from Virginia Beach home
A 96-year-old Virginia Beach woman was found with bruises and skin tears. Her friends want to know why.
Death of elderly Virginia Beach woman found with bruises, skin tears spurs police probe
96-year-old woman dies after being removed from horrific condition
Friends search for answers after death of 96-year-old woman found with bruises, torn skin
Friends want to know what happened to Irene McLean

Aedyn Agminalis

Photo of Aedyn Agminalis, a baby with fair skin and wispy blond hair. He is wearing a onesie and holding on to a piece of furniture to support him as he stands on wobbly legs. Name: Aedyn Agminalis.
Died: December 11, 2016.
Age at death: 17 months.
Cause of death: Head injury.
Location: Riverview, Florida, USA.
Disability: Chronic illness, developmental delay.

Details:
Aedyn was brought to the hospital with a severe head injury suffered while under the care of his foster mother. Doctors called it “very suspicious for non-accidental trauma”. Aedyn’s brain had been injured too severely for survival, and he died after life support was shut off.

Case status:
Latamara Stackhouse Flythe (Foster mother); initially charged with first-degree murder and aggravated abuse, charges dropped due to lack of evidence.

Source:
Foster mom charged in toddler’s death was meant to be his lifeline
Editorial: Another child’s death, another cry for help
New details emerge in case of foster mother charged in murder of Tampa-area toddler – Orlando Rising
Fatal injury occurred just minutes after child welfare worker left home, detective says
Foster mom arrested in death of boy headed for adoption
How Could You? Hall of Shame-Aedyn Agminalis case-Child Death UPDATED
Inquiry launched after infant dies in foster care in Hillsborough County – Orlando Sentinel
Toddler dies while in foster care, potential new family wants answers
Toddler in foster care Aedyn Agminalis dead just ahead of adoption by lesbian couple
Within reach of adoption, toddler dies while in foster care

Stella Hamilton

No Photo Name: Stella Hamilton.
Died: July 31, 2016.
Age at death: 72.
Cause of death: Undetermined.
Location: Malanda, Queensland, Australia.
Disability: Dementia, terminally ill.

Details:
Stella’s family talked to staff at her nursing home, asking whether she could be euthanized, and were told that this was illegal. They also requested that 24 hours’ worth of morphine be left in her room, and were refused. One of her children said another had told them that if they covered her face, she would “go quicker”. Shortly after the family’s request for euthanasia, Stella was found dead with a blanket over her face. She could not have pulled the blanket up herself, but other residents theoretically had access to her room. Her family was seen celebrating that she had died, though this could have been relief that she was no longer in pain.

Case status:
Inquest determined that, despite the troubling factors in Stella’s death, her cause of death could not be determined because she was already terminally ill.

Source:
Inquest into the death of Stella Hamilton
Mystery surrounds aged care resident found dead with blanket over head
Daughter asked doctor to euthanase terminally ill mother, inquest hears

Lydia Whitford

Photo of Lydia Whitford. She is a young woman with fair skin and dark brown hair; she is wearing a turquoise jacket and pink baseball cap. Her mouth is open and her face relaxed in a neutral expression. Name: Lydia Whitford.
Died: July 14, 2016.
Age at death: 18.
Cause of death: Possible homicide; possible natural death after abuse.
Location: Stonewall, Manitoba, Canada.
Disability: Autism, epilepsy.

Details:
Lydia’s death was originally ruled natural, but her mother and sister saw bruises on her body and pushed for an investigation. More than a year later later, Lydia’s foster mother was charged with manslaughter. Exactly how Lydia died has not been released.

Her sister told reporters that “I want people to remember her as the kind and loving person she was.”

Case status:
Lisa Marie Campbell (Foster mother), charged with manslaughter, charges stayed.

Source:
Autism Memorial: Lydia Whitford
Vigil marks birthday of woman with autism who died in CFS care
Family wants answers in homicide of teen living in licensed foster home
Family of woman with autism found dead in foster home seeks answers
Family plans birthday vigil for Manitoba teen with autism killed in foster care
Family seeks answers after teen’s death in foster care deemed a homicide
Homicide victim’s family asks how woman with autism died in CFS care
Killing of teen with autism in foster care to be investigated by Manitoba’s children’s advocate
Foster mother charged in death of autistic woman, 18
Woman charged with manslaughter in death of disabled woman
Winnipeg woman charged in death of teen with autism
Foster mom charged in 2016 homicide of teen with autism, family says
Winnipeg woman arrested following homicide in July 2016: RCMP
Family of teen with autism looking for closure after Crown stays manslaughter charge against foster mother

Leslie Denn

No Photo Name: Leslie John Denn.
Died: May 9, 2016.
Age at death: Adult.
Cause of death: Gunshot.
Location: Borrowdale, Zimbabwe.
Disability: Depression.

Details:
Leslie was shot in the back of the head. His fiance claimed he had been suicidal, and he had indeed been under treatment for depression, but police ruled it a murder. Leslie’s fiance was charged with murder, having been with him when he died, having burned the mattress on which he was lying, and having reported his death as a suicide; however, she was acquitted at trial due to an inability of the prosecution to bring sufficient evidence to convict her.

Leslie was a businessman who had been the board chairman of CMED and managing director of Nemchen.

Case status:
Pilary Ashton (Fiance), acquitted of murder. The judge’s statement in the case berated the police, prosecution, and forensics department for failure to follow protocol, including failure to analyze crucial gunshot residue samples, which may have led to a “serious miscarriage of justice”.

Source:
CMED Boss Found Dead, Girlfriend Accused Of Murdering Him Set Free As Judge Yet Again Blasts The Police And NPA For A Shoddy Job
‘CMED boss murdered’
Zimbabwe: Fiancee in the Line of Fire… Inquest Into Cmed Boss’ Death Opens
Zimbabwe: CMED Chairman Commits Suicide
Zimbabwe: CMED Boss Was ‘Suffering From Depression’
Leslie John Denn CMED boss shot dead not suicide
Shock twist to death of CMED Official who allegedly committed suicide
CMED boss commits suicide

Melissa Couture

Photo of Melissa Couture, a young woman with fair skin and brown hair. She is wearing glasses and a striped sweater. She is smiling broadly and looking down at some candles. Name: Melissa Couture.
Died: April 26, 2016.
Age at death: 38.
Cause of death: Choking, starvation, pressure sores.
Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Disability: Cerebral palsy.

Details:
For four years before her death, Melissa’s mother did not provide medical care for her, even though she was having trouble swallowing and rapidly losing weight. Melissa died from choking, starvation, dehydration, and severe pressure sores, weighing only fifty pounds.

Case status:
Patricia Couture (Mother), charged with criminal negligence resulting in death, ruled not criminally responsible.

Inaya Ahmed

Name: Inaya Ahmed.
Died: April 20, 2016.
Age at death: 14 months.
Cause of death: Asphyxia.
Location: Glasgow, Scotland, UK.
Disability: Prematurity, feeding difficulties.

Details:
Inaya’s mother was accused of smothering her with a pillow.

Case status:
Sadia Ahmed (Mother), charged with murder; jury returned “not proven” verdict (insufficient evidence to convict; different from a “not guilty” verdict); acquitted.

Source:
Inaya Ahmed murder trial: Mother cleared of smothering toddler with pillow
Sadia Ahmed ‘murdered baby by placing a cushion over head’ | Daily Mail Online
Mother, 26, who suffered with post-natal depression ‘murdered toddler’
Toddler murder trial told of screams

Emily Perrin

Photo of Emily Perrin, a small blonde girl sitting on a bed. She is wearing a light blue dress and holding a doll wearing a matching blue dress. Name: Emily Rose Perrin.
Died: April 10, 2016.
Age at death: 4.
Cause of death: Asphyxia.
Location: Dupo, St. Louis, Illinois, USA.
Disability: Cystic fibrosis.

Details:
Emily was a pre-kindergarten student a day short of her fifth birthday when her mother smothered her.

She loved pretending to be a princess.

Case status:
Mary Lockett (Mother), charged with first degree murder, found not guilty by reason of insanity.

Source:
Mother charged with murdering her cystic fibrosis-suffering daughter, 4, a day before her birthday
Mother charged in Dupo child’s death
Dupo mom accused of killing 4-year-old daughter found not guilty by reason of insanity
Ten reports of abuse weren’t enough to save ‘Princess’ Emily