Location: USA – Page 22 – Disability Day of Mourning

James Lewis

Name: James Rashard Lewis.
Died: September 29, 2021.
Age at death: 10.
Cause of death: Throat cut.
Location: Waco, Texas, USA.
Disability: Autism.

Details:
James was found dead at home, with his throat cut. His father, who police say was covered in blood and attempted to evade arrest, was charged with murder.

Neighbors often saw James running back and forth in the hallways and up and down the steps of their apartment complex.

Case Status:
Bronchae Defraunce Lewis (Father), charged with capital murder, found not guilty by reason of insanity; to be evaluated for 100 days at a state mental institution; case to be reviewed yearly.

Sources:
Waco man charged in death of autistic son found not guilty by reason of insanity
Waco man indicted in September death of 10-year-old son
Waco 10-year-old slain Wednesday identified
Affidavit details how Waco man allegedly murdered 10-year-old son
Waco man charged in brutal killing of autistic son regains competency to stand trial
Waco man charged in brutal killing of autistic son regains competency to stand trial

Richard Wix Jr.

No Photo Name: Richard B. Wix Jr.
Died: September 23, 2021.
Age at death: 30.
Cause of death: Medical neglect.
Location: Glasgow, Kentucky, USA.
Disability: Autism.

Details:
Richard’s body was found in his home, where he lived with his father, about a week after his death. The home itself was in such bad shape that it was condemned; Richard’s father was arrested on suspicion of having fatally neglected or abused him. Officials say he “did not seek appropriate medical attention” for Richard.

Case Status:
Richard Len Wix (Father), convicted of abusing/neglecting an adult, sentenced to 5 years.

Sources:
Autism Memorial: Richard Wix Jr.
New details released in Glasgow reckless homicide case
Nonverbal, autistic man dies; father charged with reckless homicide
Father charged after death of son with autism
Police: Barren Co. father culpable in death of special needs son | K105

Gabby Petito

Name: Gabrielle “Gabby” Petito.
Died: September 19, 2021 (Body found).
Age at death: 22.
Cause of death: Strangled.
Location: Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, USA.
Disability: Potentially had a mental health condition, such as OCD or anxiety.

Details:
Gabby was a travel blogger who was on a trip with her boyfriend when she went missing.

Shortly before her disappearance on August 12th, police received a call from someone who said they saw Gabby’s boyfriend hitting her. When police stopped their van, Gabby’s boyfriend told them that they had been arguing about Gabby’s cleaning the van too thoroughly. Gabby was distressed at the time. Rather than a domestic violence incident, police interpreted the incident as a “mental health break.” According to the police report, both Gabby and her boyfriend said that she had “severe anxiety.” Whether or not she did have anxiety, the police dismissed concerns over domestic abuse because of their perception of her having a disability.

The next day, Gabby and her boyfriend continued their road trip. She was last seen alive August 24th.

Gabby’s body was found in Grand Teton National Park. She had been strangled, and her death was declared a homicide.

Case Status:
Brian Laundrie (Fiance), person of interest; police issued a warrant for using Gabby’s credit cards after she died. Body found during the police search. Death ruled suicide.

Sources:
Gabby Petito’s Parents Aren’t Done Fighting in New Netflix Doc
Top medical examiners lash Brian Laundrie claim that his murder of Gabby Petito was a mercy killing
FBI Denver Provides Final Investigative Update on Gabrielle Petito Case
Brian Laundrie: US blogger Gabby Petito’s fiancé ‘died by suicide’ – family lawyer
Gabby Petito died by strangulation ‘three to four weeks’ before body was found, Wyoming coroner says
Race, Disability and Coercive Control: One More Look at the Gabby Petito Case – Ms. Magazine
New Dispatch Audio Reveals Cops In Utah Were Told Brian Laundrie Hit Gabby Petito
Body Found in Gabby Petito Investigation
Authorities Have Issued a Warrant for Brian Laundrie’s Arrest
Mourners pay respects to Gabby Petito at New York funeral home
Gabby Petito case: Timeline of travel blogger’s disappearance

James Westcott

Name: James Westcott.
Died: September 17, 2021.
Age at death: 30.
Cause of death: Gunshot.
Location: Taberg, New York, USA.
Disability: OCD, bipolar disorder, ADHD.

Details:
James was shot to death, allegedly by his brother. James’s family testified that James had unmedicated bipolar disorder and had threatened to burn down the house the day before James’s brother decided to “defend” his family by shooting the unarmed man.

Case Status:
Matthew Westcott (Brother), convicted of murder, sentenced to 25 years to life.
Micheal Westcott (Brother), charged with attempted murder, charges dropped; convicted of making a false statement.

Sources:
Taberg man who shot and killed brother in 2021 sentenced to 25 years to life in prison
Parents take the stand in murder trial of brother vs. brother
Westcott trial: accused killer couldn’t remember shooting
Science in the spotlight, focus on forensics during day 4 of Westcott murder trial
Brother of defendant and victim testifies in brother’s murder trial
Parents of defendant, victim, testify in Matthew Westcott murder trial
Man fatally shot in the face by younger brother was also stabbed by older brother, troopers say – syracuse.com
Second brother charged in Annsville homicide accused of stabbing sibling after he was shot
Man shot in face by younger brother was also stabbed by older brother, troopers say
Man Accused of Murdering Brother with a Shotgun in Annsville

Unknown Boy

No Photo Unknown Boy.
Died: September 15, 2021.
Age at death: Child.
Cause of death: Acetaminophen/dipenhydramine intoxication.
Location: Weston, Florida, USA.
Disability: Cerebral palsy.

Details:
This boy, whose name has not been released, was found emaciated, covered in bedsores, and unresponsive, and could not be revived. A post-mortem examination established that he had died from poisoning with over-the-counter medicines. Police believe the boy’s death was a deliberate act.

Case Status:
Lashawn Hampton (Caregiver), charged with first-degree murder.

Sources:
Woman Facing Murder Charge in Boy’s Death at Weston Home: BSO
Weston Woman Charged With First Degree Murder After Bedridden Neglected Juvenile Found Dead
Weston woman arrested months after child found dead in her home, deputies say
Florida Woman from Private Community Accused of Murdering ‘Bedridden’ Boy with Lethal Dose of Over-the-Counter Drugs
WESTON WOMAN ARRESTED FOR FIRST DEGREE MURDER

Bernice Durbin

No Photo Name: Bernice Durbin.
Died: September 11, 2021.
Age at death: 89.
Cause of death: Gunshot.
Location: Rochester, New York, USA.
Disability: Nursing home resident; frail elder.

Details:
Bernice had recently moved into a nursing home because of her health. According to police, her partner came to visit and shot her dead, then killed himself.

Case Status:
Albert Greer (Partner), deceased.

Source:
Elderly couple who died in suspected murder-suicide at Rochester nursing home are identified
83-Year-Old Man Kills 89-Year-Old Woman and ‘Lifelong Partner’ Due to Grief Over Her Illness Before Killing Himself: Police

Najir Diehl

Name: Najir William Diehl.
Died: September 5, 2021.
Age at death: 11.
Cause of death: Methanol poisoning.
Location: East Fairfield Township, Pennsylvania, USA.
Disability: Mobility impaired; unable to walk independently.

Details:
Najir’s mother is accused of killing him by feeding him a cup of windshield washer fluid. He was found dead at his home, and poison was detected in his blood.

In his obituary, Najir is remembered as someone who “…had a passion for life. His bus trips to school and his bus drivers made him very happy. He also loved to eat, go swimming, read books, and the dogs and cats at his home.”

Case Status:
Mary Eileen Diehl (Mother), charged with criminal homicide, pleaded no-contest to third-degree murder, sentenced to 10 to 20 years.

Sources:
Cochranton-area woman gets 10 to 20 years in child poisoning case
Crawford woman pleads no-contest to 3rd-degree murder in adopted son’s poisoning in 2021
Trial moved to March for Crawford woman charged in poisoning of 11-year-old adopted son
Trial for alleged poisoning is postponed until March
Trial date uncertain for Crawford woman charged in boy’s fatal poisoning
Woman charged with killing disabled son had him drink washer fluid to “free him”: Police
Woman accused of fatally poisoning adopted son
State police charge Crawford County woman in poisoning death of 11-year-old adopted son
Najir William Diehl Obituary

Maria Huerta

No Photo Name: Maria Huerta.
Died: September 4, 2021.
Age at death: 74.
Cause of death: Neglect.
Location: Elmendorf, Texas, USA.
Disability: Mobility impaired; frail elder.

Details:
Maria’s body was found in her home by police. She had bedsores, and police say she was neglected to death by her son, who allegedly took payments for caring for her, but went off to work as a trucker, leaving her without care.

Case Status:
Juan Santos Huerta (Son), charged with health care fraud and serious bodily injury to the elderly by omission.

Source:
Bexar County man indicted in connection to mother’s murder, charges upgraded
Son cashed healthcare provider checks as bedridden, wounded mother lied in filth for months, BCSO says
Man, 50, accused of neglecting bedridden mother to work as trucker, Bexar County sheriff says

Jamie Nau

Name: Jamie Nau.
Died: August 22, 2021.
Age at death: 29.
Cause of death: Gunshot.
Location: Omaha, Nebraska, USA.
Disability: Mental illness.

Details:
Jamie’s boyfriend, who was known to be abusive, dumped her and her possessions out on the road. The next day, he came looking for her and fatally shot her.

Case Status:
Brandon Boone (Boyfriend), pleaded guilty to manslaughter and weapons charges, sentenced to 34 1/2-37 1/2 years.

Sources:
Judge rejects Omaha man’s accidental-hit defense in meth-fueled killing of his girlfriend
IN CUSTODY: Omaha Police arrest man wanted for first degree murder of woman
Blair man who killed girlfriend told lots of people about it, Omaha detective testifies
Jamie Lynne Nau’s Obituary (1992 – 2021) Omaha World-Herald

78-year-old woman

No Photo Name Unknown.
Died: August 15, 2021.
Age at death: 78.
Cause of death: Gunshot.
Location: Houston, Texas, USA.
Disability: Stroke.

Details:
This woman was staying at a rehabilitation facility after having a stroke. Her husband went to visit her and shot her dead before killing himself.

Case Status:
Her husband, deceased.

Source:
Police investigating apparent murder-suicide at rehab center in south Houston
Wife Asks Husband to Visit Her At Medical Rehab; He Fatally Shoots Her Before Killing Himself: Police
HPD: Man kills wife, self while visiting her at rehabilitation facility
Elderly Man Shoots Rehab Patient Wife Dead In Apparent Murder-Suicide
Investigation into Fatal Shooting at 9551 Fannin Street