84-year-old woman charged with attempted murder after murder-suicide attempt

At about 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, November 15, London Police Service members attended a London residence in response to a call from Middlesex-London EMS who were on scene with an elderly couple in medical distress. Police learned that an 84-year-old female had administered a quantity of medication to her 83-year-old husband and that she herself consumed the medication in a murder-suicide attempt. Both were rendered ill as a result and were transported to hospital by ambulance.

The investigation revealed that the 84-year-old female had also attempted to poison two domestic animals within the residence, neither of which was harmed.

The 83-year-old victim suffers from dementia related to an underlying medical condition and at the time of the incident resided in a long-term care facility within the City of London. The couple did not live together and the incident took place at the wife’s residence. A family member had called 911 after the couple was found in the home.

The victim has been discharged from hospital. The 84-year-old female has been charged with attempted murder and with administering a poisonous substance to a domestic animal. She remains in hospital in good condition and will appear in court via audio on November 18.

Because of the domestic nature of the relationship between the accused and the victim, other specific information that identifies the parties has been deliberately omitted by police.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the London Police Service at (519) 661-5670 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Information can also be sent online anonymously to www.londoncrimestoppers.com.