A 53-year-old woman has been arrested after the body of an elderly woman was found at an aged care home in Sydney’s west.
Police found the body of the 84-year-old woman at the Our Lady of Consolation aged care facility on Thursday night.
NSW Police Superintendent Darrin Batchelor told media on Friday police believed the women knew each other, with the 53-year-old allegedly administering a medical substance to the 84-year-old shortly before her death.
“What we believe at this stage is that the 53-year-old female allegedly administered a substance to the older woman,” Superintendent Batchelor said.
“We don’t know exactly what that substance is at the moment or whether that contributed to her passing last night.”
Superintendent Batchelor noted that the older woman had suffered from numerous medical conditions at the time of her death.
“It is really too early to determine what the motivation is at the moment, whether it was an assisted dying scenario we really don’t know,” he said.
“The manner of the elderly woman’s death will be a matter for the coroner to determine.”
The 53-year-old has no criminal history or known medical training.
She was taken into custody due to evidence at the scene and conversation with police, but no charges had been laid.
“A lot will be determined from the toxicology reports and the autopsy report coming from the coroner whether there are charges,” Superintendent Batchelor noted.
A nine-year-old boy known to the deceased was also at the scene, but is now under the care of other family members.
He said police were investigating “the circumstances” around how the 53-year-old was at the aged care home late at night.
Following her discussions with police, the woman was taken to Mount Druitt Hospital “for an assessment” as she was “distressed”.
“Her conversation with police had cause for us to take her to hospital.”
Our Lady of Consolation chief executive David Maher confirmed staff found the senior’s body and they called emergency services.
“The board and staff of Our Lady of Consolation are distressed by the death of our resident,” Maher said.
“Our thoughts are with their family and loved ones at this time.
“We are continuing to work with the police and supporting them in their investigations. We will continue to offer support to our residents and staff during this time.”
Image: ABC News
