HALIFAX – A death at a nursing home in Halifax has been ruled a homicide, according to police.
Last Saturday night, Halifax police responded to Evan Hall, a memory care facility on Parkland Drive.
Cst. Pierre Bourdages said a 74-year-old woman got into an altercation with a 91-year-old woman, resulting in the 91-year-old woman falling to the floor and sustaining serious injuries.
The victim, identified as Joyce Renouf, died Sunday night.
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Bourdages says an autopsy conducted Monday ruled the death was a homicide but the suspect, who suffers from dementia, has not been arrested or charged.
“This investigation is very unique the way it is, given the circumstances, the medical condition of the suspect and the victim alike,” he said.
“We have to remember we’re dealing here with two individuals who are of quite an advanced age and who have frail health.”
Bourdages said consultation are taking place Tuesday with the Crown Prosecution Office to determine how to proceed with any possible charges.
An update is expected later this week.
An internal review is underway by Shannex, which oversees Evan Hall, to determine how to prevent such incidents in the future.
A similar incident happened at Arborstone Enhanced Care in 2011 when two residents got into an altercation resulting in the death of one resident. The case was ruled a homicide, but Bourdages said no charges were laid.
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