Edward O’Brien Jr.

Gravestone of Edward J. O'brien Jr.Name: Edward J. O’Brien Jr.
Died: September 8, 2013.
Age at death: 92.
Cause of death: Heart failure
Location: West Whiteland, Pennsylvania, USA.
Disability: Heart condition.

Details:
Edward’s son kept him from getting medical treatment for his heart condition and neglected him. When he died of heart failure, he was starving and covered in bedsores.

Mr. O’Brien was a World War II veteran.

Case status:
Edward J. O’Brien III (Son), found guilty of third-degree murder, involuntary murder, aggravated assault, and recklessly endangering another person, sentenced to 5-10 years.

Source:
Prelimnary hearing set in death of West Whiteland man
In murder trial, Chesco lawyer says father died as he wanted
Chester County Man Convicted Of Murder In Death Of Elderly Father
West Whiteland man guilty of murder in his father’s death
Judge gives O’Brien 5 to 10 years for death of father
Chesco attorney guilty of letting father die ordered to state prison

Lola Mae Stout

No PhotoName: Lola Mae Stout.
Died: July 14, 2013.
Age at death: 73.
Cause of death: Heat stroke.
Location: Phoenix, Arizona, USA.
Disability: Stroke, goiter, schizophrenia.

Details:
Instead of getting medical care for their ailing mother, Lola Mae’s sons and husband loaded her in the back of the van where they all lived along with 35 starving animals. As they loaded her in, she collapsed, but they ignored her and went on a two-hour drive to Phoenix. The van had no air conditioning; when they arrived, they found her dead.

Case status:
Alan Stout (Son), sentenced to 2 years probation for vulnerable adult abuse and animal cruelty.
Gregory Stout (Son), sentenced to 2 years probation for vulnerable adult abuse and animal cruelty.
Alva Stout (Husband), sentenced to 2 years probation for vulnerable adult abuse and animal cruelty.

Source:
Men get probation for abuse in mother’s death
AZ woman found dead in van carrying 35 animals

Douglas Streeter

An older man with ruddy skin and white hair and mustache, wearing a cardigan and button-up shirt.Name: Douglas Ivor Streeter.
Died: March 14, 2013.
Age at death: 69.
Cause of death: Shooting.
Location: Natte Yallock, Victoria, Australia.
Disability: Motor neuron disease.

Details:
Douglas and his brother John owned a large sheep farm, which his son was due to inherit when he died. His son shot Douglas and John.

From Douglas’s obituary: “Dougie, an extraordinary person. You always greeted us with wide open arms when we came to visit. Our hearts would melt as we watched you take our little boy out for many drives in your ute with the flashing light.

Case Status:
Ross Streeter (Son), convicted of two counts of murder, sentenced to 28-37 years.

Sources:
Love and tears for lost brothers
Farm killer stood to inherit $500,000
Killer Ross Streeter ‘sick in the guts’ over shooting murder of father, Douglas, and uncle, John
The Queen v Streeter
STREETER, Douglas Ivor | Death Notices | Melbourne

Lucie Goudreau

A gravestone for the Langelier family, reading in part, "Lucie Goudreau, nee Langelier, 1959-2012." The inscription is carved onto the base of the headstone, implying that it was an unexpected addition that would not fit onto the main headstone.Name: Lucie Goudreau.
Died: November 27, 2012.
Age at death: 53.
Cause of death: Burning.
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Disability: Multiple sclerosis.

Details:
Lucie was diagnosed with progressive MS in her thirties, and when she eventually needed care, her husband helped her. But he died of cancer, and Lucie’s care was left to her son, who routinely mistreated her.

Lucie’s son took out several life insurance policies on his mother, then lit her bed on fire and left her to die in the blaze, knowing her mobility impairment would keep her from escaping on her own. When asked why he had done it, he said he “needed the money”.

Case Status:
Rene Goudreau (Son), convicted of first-degree murder; granted new trial on appeal; convicted of first-degree murder on second trial; sentenced to life.

Source:
Ottawa man convicted of first-degree murder for a second time in mother’s 2012 death
Man convicted of murder in mother’s arson death wins new trial | Ottawa Citizen
Man lit fire to kill MS-stricken mother: Crown

Herman Ritchey Jr.

No PhotoName: Herman Ritchey Jr.
Died: October 24, 2012.
Age at death: 70.
Cause of death: Starvation.
Location: Mio, Michigan, USA.
Disability: Alzheimer’s disease, cardiovascular disease.

Details:
Herman’s daughter and son-in-law took his social security payments while they left Herman locked in his bedroom and denied him the medication and care he needed. He eventually died from starvation.

Case status:
Rachel Bruce (Daughter), convicted of felony murder and vulnerable adult abuse and sentenced to life without parole.
Carl Bruce (Son-in-law), convicted of felony murder and vulnerable adult abuse and sentenced to life without parole.

Source:
Oscoda County woman charged alongside husband with murder in father’s death
Herman Ray Ritchey, Jr ( – 2012) – Find A Grave Memorial
Couple charged with murdering woman’s father through abuse and neglect
Mio couple sentenced to life in prison after murder conviction
Mio Michigan Couple Charged with Relatives Murder
Couple Arrested in Oscoda County for Elderly Father’s Death
Couple convicted of killing parent to face new trial after appeal

Patricia Kohler

Sepia-tone photo of an older woman with fair skin, tweezed eyebrows, and neat make-up. She is smiling for the camera.Name: Patricia Kohler.
Died: September 11, 2012.
Age at death: 72.
Cause of death: Starvation.
Location: West Palm Beach, Florida, USA.
Disability: Alzheimer’s disease, depression.

Details:
Patricia’s daughter and granddaughter allegedly locked her in her room and refused to feed her. Patricia died of starvation.

Case status:
Jessica Rampersad-Singh, aka Cummings (Granddaughter), pleaded guilty to manslaughter by culpable negligence, aggravated abuse of the elderly, and fraud; sentenced to 18 years.
Diane Robinson (Daughter), pleaded guilty to manslaughter by culpable negligence, sentenced to 10 years probation.

Source:
After daughter flips, granddaughter expected to plead guilty to woman’s starving death
Mom, daughter accused of starving grandmother, 72, to death
Diane Robinson, Jessica Rampersadsingh: Charged with the 2012 death of Patricia Kohler
Elderly woman starves to death; daughter, granddaughter charged

Timothy Brooks

No PhotoName: Timothy James Brooks.
Died: August 8, 2012.
Age at death: 52.
Cause of death: Gunshot.
Location: Marlow, Oklahoma, USA.
Disability: Bipolar disorder, Schizophrenia.

Details:
Timothy Brooks owned a ranch and liked to go hunting.

His son allegedly shot him dead, then posed him to make it look like a suicide and collect the life insurance.

The death was initially ruled “undetermined”. Six years later, Timothy’s son was charged with murder.

Case status:
James Kyle Brooks (Son), charged with first-degree murder; trial resulted in hung jury. Retrial scheduled.

Source:
Second Trial Set For Oklahoma Man Accused Of Killing Dad For Life Insurance
Hung jury: Additional details from Brooks case that doesn’t reach verdict | News | duncanbanner.com
Charge: Man killed Marlow dad, tried to make it look like a suicide
Man charged with murdering father: Brooks accused of killing father to collect $500,000 life insurance policy
Timothy James Brooks – View Obituary & Service Information
Newcastle man arrested, accused of killing his father for insurance money

Gertrudes Alwardt

Photo of the gravestone of Gertrudes Alwardt. It reads, "Alwardt, Theodore R, Gertrudes G.", and gives birth and death dates for both.Name: Gertrudes Marcaida “Gigi” Alwardt.
Died: July 2, 2012.
Age at death: 82.
Cause of death: Head injury.
Location: East Poultney, Vermont, USA.
Disability: Chronic illness (elderly disabled).

Details:
Gigi was bludgeoned to death by her son, who struck her head against the table and then beat her with a wine bottle. Initially he claimed she had fallen; then he said he had done it because he thought she was possessed. In reducing the charge from murder to manslaughter, the judge noted that the killer was mentally ill and was “stressed” by caring for Gigi, whose health had been failing.

She had worked as a secretary for the Phillippine government, and had traveled the world during her lifetime. She enjoyed reading.

Case status:
Roderick Geronimo (Adoptive son), pleaded guilty to manslaughter, sentenced to 8-15 years in prison.

Source:
Man admits beating his mother to death with wine bottles
Obituary for Gertrudes Marcaida “Gigi” Alwardt
Adoptive son charged with killing mother
Man admits killing mother
Man who thought mom was possessed pleads guilty in her death
Poultney man who beat his mother to death gets eight years

Betty Guy

Photo of Betty Guy, an elderly woman with light skin and light-gray hair, wearing glasses and a blue top. She is smiling and hugging someone off-camera.Name: Betty Guy.
Died: November 7, 2011.
Age at death: 84.
Cause of death: Smothered.
Location: Haverfordwet, England, UK.
Disability: Mobility impaired, chronic pain, frail elder.

Details:
Betty’s daughter and grandson had decided it was “time for her to go”, so they drove to her house, where they drugged her with sleeping pills; then her grandson smothered her with a pillow. He had to try twice before he killed her, because she fought to live.

Betty was a retired nurse.

Case status:
Barry Rogers (Grandson), found guilty of murder and sentenced to 11 years to life.
Penelope John (Daughter), found guilty of murder and sentenced to 11 years to life.

Source:
Ex-soldier could not have murdered grandmother as Iraq left him so ‘messed up’ he would not kill again, court hears
Man lied about killing ‘for attention’
Murder accused ‘talked about euthanasia’
Ex-Soldier Accused Of Murdering Grandmother “Messed Up By Iraq”
Murder accused ‘told ex-wife he had killed his grandmother’
Accused ‘had to smother gran twice’
‘Murder victim Betty Guy fought off grandson as he smothered her with pillow’, jury told
‘Man said he would finish off ill gran’
Betty Guy trial: Grandson threatened to kill girlfriend while she slept
Pensioner ‘smothered’ by grandson
Man smothered his grandmother twice before she died, court told
Mother and son to go on trial accused of murdering grandmother
Mother and son’s murder trial to start today
Mother and son’s murder trial begins

Ruth Pyne

Photo of Ruth Pyne, a woman with layered blonde hair, tanned skin, and a teal V-neck shirt. She is smiling.Name: Ruth Pyne.
Died: May 27, 2011.
Age at death: 51.
Cause of death: Traumatic injury.
Location: Detroit, Michigan, USA.
Disability: Bipolar disorder.

Details:
Ruth’s son bludgeoned her unconscious, then stabbed her to death.

Case status:
Jeffrey Pyne (Son), convicted of second-degree murder, sentenced to 20-60 years.

Source:
“48 Hours”: Does the way Ruth Pyne was killed prove premeditation?
Ruth Pyne Obituary