97-year-old woman died after her 55-year-old daughter, who claimed they discussed “death with dignity” over a year and a half ago, strangled her to death; daughter arrested
Florida – In a deeply unsettling incident out of Florida, a 55‑year‑old woman, identified as Martha B., has been arrested and charged with first‑degree murder in the death of her 97‑year‑old mother, identified as Patricia B. Authorities say the elderly woman’s death was no natural passing, as initially claimed by Martha, but rather a deliberate act of suffocation carried out by her own daughter. Martha remains in the county jail awaiting a pre‑trial detention hearing.
The charges were filed after investigators determined that Patricia’s death was more consistent with homicide than natural illness. Deputies allege that Martha, who had served as her mother’s primary caregiver for years, caused fatal injuries, which included signs of suffocation and a broken neck. The motive and circumstances have drawn intense attention, especially due to Martha’s statements about prior discussions with her mother regarding “death with dignity” and assisted suicide.
The tragic events came to light when deputies from the sheriff’s office received a call regarding an elderly woman’s death. Responding officers found 97‑year‑old Patricia lying on her back, covered with sheets, inside her residence. At first glance, her death appeared to be a natural one: Patricia had long suffered from Parkinson’s disease and a thyroid disorder, and her daughter told deputies she had last seen her mother alive the previous evening around 10 p.m.
However, as the investigation unfolded, the circumstances surrounding Patricia’s death raised serious red flags. An autopsy conducted by the medical examiner revealed several troubling signs far more consistent with violent trauma than a peaceful passing. The medical examiner noted that Patricia’s skin was a purplish color, particularly around her nose, a finding suggesting something had been placed over her face, restricting her breathing. She also had eye hemorrhaging consistent with suffocation, and the autopsy showed a broken neck. These findings prompted detectives to dig deeper. A deputy reviewing body‑worn camera footage from the scene also observed a quarter‑sized red mark on the side of Patricia’s neck—another potential indicator of foul play.
Following these developments, detectives obtained and executed a search warrant at the residence. It was during subsequent interviews that Martha made statements that both confused and alarmed investigators. She admitted she had been her mother’s primary caregiver for approximately five years. More disturbingly, she told deputies that about a year and a half before the death, she and Patricia had discussed the idea of “death with dignity” with the elderly woman’s doctor in Maine. According to Martha, the doctor refused to assist with any form of assisted suicide, noting that Patricia did not have a terminal illness.
Martha also claimed that at one point they had considered suicide by pills but abandoned that idea because they did not have anything lethal to use. While such discussions could signal desperation or fear around aging, they did not justify the violent end that Patricia ultimately met. With probable cause established, deputies booked Martha on first‑degree murder charges. She was taken into custody and remains incarcerated at the county jail. A judge will determine her custody status at a pre‑trial detention hearing.
Household and caregiving records are now under scrutiny as part of a broader investigation. Authorities are also reviewing medical records and statements regarding the discussions about assisted dying but have not released details on whether any formal requests for medical aid in dying were made beyond the conversations with the Maine doctor. At this point, no trial date has been announced, and Martha’s attorney has not publicly commented on her behalf.
The community has reacted with shock at the allegation that a daughter could kill her elderly mother—someone she had been entrusted to look after. As the legal process moves forward, the case highlights ongoing debates about elder care, assisted dying, and how mental and emotional strain on caregivers can sometimes turn tragic. For now, Patricia’s death remains under criminal investigation, and her daughter faces serious legal consequences for what authorities allege was a deliberate act of violence.
