Nursing Home Murder

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Charges have been filed in connection with a September death at a Dartmouth nursing home.

Laura Lundquist, 98, the victim's roommate, was charged with second degree murder Friday.

In September, 100-year-old Elizabeth Barrow was found dead in her bed during a routine check of patients at the Brandon Woods Nursing Home. An autopsy revealed that the cause of death was strangulation and suffocation.

"The investigation revealed that the defendant harbored hostility towards the victim because she believed the victim, Ms. Barrow, was taking over the room they shared at the nursing home. The defendant made statements prior to the victim's death that she would get the victims bed eventually, by the window, because she was going to outlive her," said District Attorney Samuel Sutter, in a news conference Friday.

The DA added that Lundquist killed Barrow by strangling and suffocating her by placing a bag over her head which was discovered by police.

Sutter said the two had quarreled the night before Barrow's death over a table Lundquist had placed at the foot of the victim's bed, blocking her access to the bathroom.

"When the nurse moved the table from the location, Ms. Lundquist, the defendant, assaulted her by punching her. She stated at that time, Ms. Lundquist that is, that she [Barrow] might as well have the whole room,'" Sutter said.

Sutter said he wrestled with whether he should bring murder charges against a 98-year-old woman, but in the end, believes it is the right thing to do.

"We're confident those were the right decisions. They were made after great thought and great deliberation.

Sutter said the defendant has a history of paranoia and dementia, so the murder could not have been premeditated, a prerequisite for a first degree murder charge.

Superior Court Judge Lloyd MacDonald ordered Friday that Lundquist be sent to Taunton State Hospital for a competency evaluation prior to being arraigned.

2009-12-14