Alzheimer’s patient violent before fatal attack, inquest told

WINNIPEG – Joe McLeod was increasingly violent in the weeks before he killed his roommate at the care home where they both lived, an inquest into the death of Frank Alexander heard Tuesday.

McLeod, who has Alzheimer’s disease, had attacked care-home staff, punching, choking and telling one worker she was going to die.

Alexander, 87, died in March 2011 after McLeod, 72, pushed him and Alexander hit his head on the floor of their room at Parkview Place. McLeod was charged with manslaughter but declared not fit to stand trial.

McLeod’s family was shocked to hear testimony about his behavior.

“I’m kind of an emotional wreck,” said Faye Jashyn, McLeod’s daughter, who testified at the inquest on Tuesday. “I have supports, I have friends, family, but it’s really hard to hear things that I didn’t know about.”

McLeod was jailed in September 2010 after he injured his wife, whom he shoved and injured during an episode when he didn’t recognize her.

However, when his condition as a dementia patient became known, he was released from jail and placed at the care home.

Former Manitoba Liberal leader and MLA Dr. Jon Gerrard helped secure McLeod’s release from jail in 2010 by publicizing his plight at a news conference.

The Alexander family lawyer accused him of creating a public uproar for political gain.

Gerrard told the inquest he didn’t know all the details about McLeod’s situation when he held the news conference.

“I’m very sorry about what happened. I don’t think any of us wanted Alexander to die,” Gerrard said. “I don’t think anyone wanted the Jashyn family traumatized.”

The inquest will look at the events leading to Alexander’s death and attempt to determine what, if anything, can be done to prevent similar deaths in the future. The inquest continues on Wednesday.