Photo of Elizabeth Wettlaufer from Facebook. Photo of Elizabeth Wettlaufer from Facebook.
London

Murder Charges Laid In Nursing Home Deaths

A registered nurse who used to work at nursing homes in Woodstock and London is now charged in the deaths of eight residents of the homes.

Provincial police, along with Woodstock police and London police, announced the charges against 49-year-old Elizabeth Tracey Mae Wettlaufer on Tuesday morning.

She is charged with eight counts of first degree murder in the deaths of seven residents of Caressant Care in Woodstock, who died between August of 2007 and August of 2014, and one resident of Meadow Park nursing home in London in August of 2014.

"The victims were administered a drug. We are not in a position at this time to comment further on the specifics on the drug as it forms part of the evidence that is now before the courts," says OPP Detective Superintendent Dave Truax.

The victims, and the month and year of their deaths, are as follows.

James Silcox, 84, Woodstock – August 17, 2007 Maurice Granat, 84, Woodstock – December 23, 2007 Gladys Millard, 87, Woodstock – October 14, 2011 Helen Matheson, 95, Woodstock – October 27, 2011 Mary Zurawinski, 96, Woodstock – November 7, 2011 Helen Young, 90, Woodstock – July 14, 2013 Maureen Pickering, 79, Woodstock – March 28, 2014 Arpad Horvath, 75, London – August 31, 2014

Police don't believe there are any additional victims in the case.

"This investigation is ongoing, therefore I'm not going to speculate on whether there will be any additional charges," says Truax. "We are confident at this time that all of the victims have been identified and their families have been notified."

Police say Wettlaufer has appeared in court and continues to be held in custody.

Wettlaufer registered as a registered nurse with the College of Nurses of Ontario in August 1995. She resigned September 30 of this year and is no longer entitled to practise.

Police say they cannot comment on how the deaths were brought to their attention, nor will they comment on a possible motive.

"In relation to circumstances or motive involving these deaths, that is all part of the evidence that is being brought before the courts," says Truax.

Woodstock Police Chief Bill Renton says just like in the Tori Stafford case, the city will overcome this shocking crime.

"We are a resilient town. It's very difficult for a community to have to endure these types of tragic incidents," says Renton. "But the community is strong and the community will rally and work together to get through it again, just as we have in the other major incidents."

Police say an individual hasn't been charged with this many counts of murder in Ontario since the Bandidos massacre in 2006.

Woodstock police, London police, and the OPP Criminal Investigation Branch had been tight-lipped about the death investigation which began in Woodstock on September 29. It expanded to London, with assistance being offered from Oxford and Brant OPP shortly after that date.

On October 14, police announced that a suspect had been identified and there was no further risk to public safety.

Police have set-up an information line to help gather all pertinent information about the case. Anyone with information is asked to call Woodstock police at 519-537-2323 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

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