Relationship: Sibling – Page 3 – 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

Helen Miller

Photo of a young woman leaning against a wheelchair backrest. Her brown hair is curly and short; she has tan skin and is smiling for the camera. Name: Helen Marie Miller.
Died: February 22, 2021.
Age at death: 19.
Cause of death: Stabbed.
Location: Manheim Township, Pennsylvania, USA.
Disability: Cerebral palsy.

Details:
Helen was stabbed to death in her sleep. According to a probable cause affidavit, her sister then called emergency services, admitted to stabbing her, and was found by police washing the blood off her hands.

Helen was an artistic young woman who made paintings and sculptures. She had won an award for her watercolor work.

Case Status:
Claire Miller (Sister), pleaded guilty but mentally ill to third-degree murder; sentenced to 12 1/2 to 40 years.

Source:
Teen Sentenced to 12½ to 40 Years for Stabbing Death of Sister
PA TikToker Who Admitted To Killing Her Wheelchair Bound Sister Learns Her Fate: DA
Lancaster County teen charged with stabbing sister to death pleads guilty but mentally ill
Lancaster County teen will serve up to 40 years in prison for stabbing her older sister to death in 2021
Lancaster County judge issues new ruling in Claire Miller trial
Lancaster teen to be tried as adult in sister’s murder
Prosecution: Lancaster County teen ‘had it all but was obsessed with homicide’
Judge to decide whether Claire Miller should be tried as adult or juvenile
Girl charged in sister’s death fantasized about killings: ‘I’m not evil. I’m just mentally ill’
Hearing will determine if Manheim Twp. girl charged with killing sister will be tried in adult or juvenile court
Who is Claire Miller and what is she accused of?
Claire Miller: Pennsylvania teen allegedly stabs sister with cerebral palsy to death, washes blood off in snow
Lancaster County 14-year-old accused of killing older sister
Claire Miller: Pennsylvania Teen Killed Disabled Sister in Sleep, Cops Say

“Sonam”

No Photo Name: “Sonam.”
Died: January 17, 2021.
Age at death: 22.
Cause of death: Strangled.
Location: Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Disability: Mentally disabled.

Details:
“Sonam” (not her real name), a 22-year-old young woman, was found dead in a field, and her family claimed she had been raped. However, a postmortem discovered that she had not been raped, and police began investigating the family. According to police, Sonam’s family admitted that they wanted to “get rid of her” because she was mentally disabled, and they had heard that the families of rape victims were receiving large sums in compensation. After they lured her out to a nearby field, police say, her mother held her, her brother strangled her, and her father served as lookout.

Case status:
Her mother, arrested, legal action initiated.
Her father, arrested, legal action initiated.
Her brother, arrested, legal action initiated.

Source:
Body of young woman found in mustard field, investigation underway
Barabanki: Family wanted to get rid of mentally disabled girl, so killed her and created the story of rape and murder

Larry Hawks

Photo of a man in a baseball cap printed with an eagle. He has dark hair, light skin, and a full beard. His shirt is red; he has his hands behind his head and is leaning back. Name: Larry Grey Hawks.
Died: November 4, 2020.
Age at death: 42.
Cause of death: Sepsis, thrombosis.
Location: Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA.
Disability: Myelomeningocele spina bifida, Hirschsprung’s disease, brain malformation.

Details:
Larry was found at home, not breathing, and was pronounced dead. An autopsy determined he had died from blood poisoning from bedsores and blood clots from prolonged immobility, and his caregivers were arrested.

Case Status:
Sandra Oliver Hawks (Mother), pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and neglect of a disabled adult by failing to provide care causing serious injury, sentenced to 13-25 months.
Crystal Dawn Hawks (Sister), pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and neglect of a disabled adult by failing to provide care causing serious injury, sentenced to 13-25 months.

Source:
Mother, sister sentenced after disabled man dies of neglect, Forsyth County District Attorney says
Autopsy: Winston-Salem man died from complications from bedsores and other issues. Mother and sister accused of neglect.
Winston-Salem mother, daughter face charges in homicide investigation after death of relative who was ‘severely disabled’
The mother and sister of a Winston-Salem homicide victim face charges in the man’s death
Winston-Salem mother, daughter charged with involuntary manslaughter, neglect in death of disabled man
Larry Hawks Obituary (1978 – 2020) – Forsyth, NC – Winston-Salem Journal

Sayeed Neilson

Name: Sayeed Neilson.
Died: October 23, 2020.
Age at death: 14.
Cause of death: Trauma.
Location: Nashville, Tennessee, USA.
Disability: Autism.

Details:
Sayeed’s stepbrother allegedly punched and kicked him in the head; his mother told his stepbrother to stop, but then walked away without actually checking to make sure he had stopped. They told investigators he had fallen in the shower; but police believed his injuries were “inconsistent with a fall” and brought them in for questioning.

Sayeed loved Star Wars and Halloween. He never missed a day walking his dog Chloe, rain or shine.

Case status:
Rebacca Greenwood (Mother), charged with criminal homicide, aggravated child abuse and evidence tampering.
David Matheny (Stepbrother), charged with criminal homicide, aggravated child abuse and evidence tampering.

Source:
Autism Memorial: Sayeed Neilson
Aunt mourns 14-year-old boy with Asperger’s beaten to death in Hermitage home
‘It Was Like Reign Of Terror’: Man Accused Of Beating His Autistic 14-Year-Old Brother To Death
Vigil for teen with Autism killed by family members
‘Reign of terror’: Slaying of Nashville 14-year-old involving brother, mother leaves relatives reeling
Aunt mourns 14-year-old boy with Asperger’s beaten to death in Tennessee home
Mother, stepbrother charged with homicide in death of autistic 14-year-old boy
Tenn. mother, stepbrother charged in death of autistic 14-year-old

Timothy Gramlich

Name: Timothy Gramlich.
Died: October 18, 2020.
Age at death: 52.
Cause of death: Untreated urinary tract infection.
Location: Abington, Pennsylvania, USA.
Disability: Down syndrome.

Details:
Timothy died from sepsis secondary to an untreated urinary tract infection. According to police, he was found uncared-for in filthy conditions, his brother was his sole caretaker, and he had not been to the doctor since the early 2000s.

Case Status:
Harry Gramlich (Brother), found guilty of involuntary manslaughter, sentenced to 6-12 months in jail and 5 years probation.
Elizabeth Anne Gramlich (Sister), pleaded guilty to neglect of a care-dependent person, sentenced to 10 years probation.
Joseph T. Gramlich (Brother), pleaded guilty to neglect of a care-dependent person, sentenced to 10 years probation and a $1,000 fine.

Source:
Montco Man Sentenced to Jail, Probation in Death of Disabled Brother
A Glenside man was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in his disabled brother’s death
Judge weighing fate of Abington man accused of manslaughter, neglect in death of brother with Down syndrome
Trial begins for Abington man accused of manslaughter and neglect in death of brother who had Down syndrome
Sister Of Neglected Man With Down Syndrome Who Died In Montco Pleads Guilty
Two more siblings of dead Abington man face charges of neglecting care dependent person
Police: Abington man with Down syndrome died after brother left him emaciated, neglected
Montgomery County man charged with murder and neglect in the death of his disabled brother
Brother Charged After Disabled Man Dies From Neglect: Montco DA
Timothy W. Gramlich Obituary – Visitation & Funeral Information

Nancy Arnold

No Photo Name: Nancy Arnold.
Died: September 5, 2020.
Age at death: 78.
Cause of death: Gunshot.
Location: Scottsdale, Arizona, USA.
Disability: Unspecified; wheelchair user.

Details:
Police say that Nancy’s brother fatally shot her, then tried to kill himself. Her brother recovered from his injuries and was arrested, but Nancy died at the scene.

Case status:
William Lokay (Brother), charged with first-degree murder; died in 2022.

Source:
PD: 73-year-old Valley man accused of shooting, killing sister
Obituary: William A. Lokey

28-year-old woman

No Photo
Name Unknown.
Died: June 3, 2020.
Age at death: 28.
Cause of death: Trauma.
Location: Smuts Ngonyama Informal Settlement, Butterworth, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa.
Disability: Unspecified.

Details:
While her caregiver was away, this 28-year-old woman’s brother allegedly killed her, leaving her under a blanket with “upper body injuries”. Medics were called but declared her dead at the scene.

Case status:
Her brother, age 24, charged with murder.

Source:
Disabled woman murdered in EC – brother arrested
Media Statement, South African Police Service, Office of the Provincial Commissioner Eastern Cape

Umesh Balagi

Name: Umesh Balagi.
Died: May 18, 2020 (News story published).
Age at death: Adult.
Cause of death: Bludgeoned.
Location: Dharwad, Karnataka, India.
Disability: Unspecified.

Details:
Umesh’s brother allegedly gathered a group of men, ambushed him as he rode his three-wheeled scooter to go shopping, and bludgeoned him to death. The motive was a dispute over property. The killer also chased Umesh’s wife, who witnessed the attack; she escaped unhurt.

Case status:
Channabasappa Balagi (Brother) and several accomplices, charged with murder.

Source:
Man bludgeons brother suffering with disability; murder over property caught on camera