Remembering the Disabled Murdered by Caregivers
Spouse or romantic partner.
Name Unknown.
Died: September 15, 2021.
Age at death: 78.
Cause of death: Unspecified homicide.
Location: Seoul, South Korea.
Disability: Alzheimer’s disease.
Details:
This 78-year-old was killed in a homicide-suicide by her husband, who left a note that said, “I am taking her with me.”
Case Status:
Her husband, deceased.
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
Name: Mohammed “Amin” Mukhtar.
Died: August 30, 2021.
Age at death: 53.
Cause of death: Strangled.
Location: Miles Platting, Manchester, England, UK.
Disability: Mental illness.
Details:
Amin was in a four-year relationship with an abusive girlfriend, who had repeatedly hurt him and had been arrested three times for abusing him, but then manipulated him into refusing to press charges when he needed medical care for his injuries. Soon after she started dating another man, she tied up Amin and strangled him to death with an extension cord.
Case Status:
Charlotte Dootson (Partner), convicted of murder, sentenced to 22 and a half years to life.
Sources:
‘Evil’ woman strangled partner to death after tying him up while she sexted man
‘Callous’ Manchester abuser who strangled partner jailed
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
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
Name: Moy Chan.
Died: August 9, 2021.
Age at death: 74.
Cause of death: Throat laceration.
Location: Ipoh, Malaysia.
Disability: Unspecified.
Details:
Ms. Chan’s husband called their grandson, informing him that she had passed away. When her grandson arrived, he found her dead from a stab to the throat, with a knife nearby. Investigators arrested her husband, whom they suspect of slashing her throat and killing her.
Case Status:
Lim Hon Koi (Husband), charged with murder.
Source:
72-year-old man remanded over murder of wife
Elderly man charged over alleged murder of disabled wife
Name: Mark Anthony Vella.
Died: August 9, 2021.
Age at death: 52.
Cause of death: Gunshot.
Location: Murrumbateman, New South Wales, Australia.
Disability: Blind.
Details:
Mark’s wife shot him as he slept. Prosecutors at her trial said that she had “gotten tired of” caring for him after 23 years of marriage.
Case Status:
Dale Vella (Wife), convicted of murder, sentenced to 18-24 years.
Sources:
Mum blasted her blind husband in the face with shotgun while he slept
Struggle to understand woman’s murder of husband
Woman gave an Oscar-winning performance if she murdered husband, barrister says
Woman who shot blind husband guilty of murder
UPDATED: Wife who shot sleeping husband in head found guilty of murder
Dale Lee Vella committed to trial for alleged murder of Mark Vella in Murrumbateman
Name: Ramón Castellano de Torres.
Died: August 8, 2021.
Age at death: 73.
Cause of death: Stabbed.
Location: Morón de la Frontera, Cadiz, Spain.
Disability: Unspecified degenerative disability.
Details:
Ramón’s wife stabbed him before jumping off the roof to her death. Ramón died next day of his injuries.
Ramón was an artist and art teacher, with his paintings displayed in galleries around the world. He also contributed to cultural and pedagogic magazines, illustrated children’s stories, and published several books about the town of Morón de la Frontera, where he lived for most of his life.
Case Status:
Beatriz R. (Wife), deceased.
Source:
Ramon Castellano de Torres Art
Murder or mercy, dying woman did not want to leave disabled husband alone
El drama de Bea y Ramón: ella tenía cáncer y mató a su marido, discapacitado, para no dejarlo solo
Wikipedia: Ramón Castellano de Torres
Una mujer mata a su marido, discapacitado, y se suicida arrojándose al vacío desde la azotea
Name: Prasanna.
Died: July 30, 2021.
Age at death: 75.
Cause of death: Strangled.
Location: Pangappara, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India.
Disability: Stroke.
Details:
Prasanna lived with her husband and her son and daughter. Her son was gone shopping and her daughter lived in another town. Her daughter came to visit her, and found her dead in her bedroom. Police questioned Prasanna’s husband, who said he had murdered his wife and was arrested. Police say he told them he did it because he could not bear her suffering.
Case Status:
Sukumaran (husband), arrested on suspicion of murder.
Name: Deborah Diamond.
Died: June 30, 2021.
Age at death: 73.
Cause of death: Gunshot.
Location: Sheffield, Ohio, USA.
Disability: Chronic illness, chronic pain.
Details:
Deborah’s husband shot her. She was hospitalized, but died 23 days later from her injuries.
Case Status:
Ronald Diamond (Husband), pleaded no contest to aggravated murder, murder, and felonious assault; sentenced to life without parole.
Sources:
Court rejects Sheffield man’s appeal in wife’s 2021 murder
Lorain County Safe Harbor: Silent Witnesses