98-year-old woman murders her 100-year-old roomate

On December 11, 2009 Laura Lundquist was accused for killing her 100-year-old roommate Elizabeth Barrow, because she was "taking over the room". The victim was found on September 24 with a plastic bag tied around her head.

The victim's son, Scott Barrow, had complained to the nursing home complaining that the two often disputed and Lundquist had reportedly threatened his mother many times, but officials at the nursing home affirmed that they were "getting along." Lundquist mentioned many times that she would soon get the bed by the window because she would outlive her roommate.

The accused killer was evaluated at a state mental hospitality for her eligibility and her attorney, Carl Levin, states that Lundquist has a “long-standing diagnosis of dementia, as well as issue of cognitive impairment.”

USA Today reports Lundquist may be the oldest murder defendant in the history of Massachusetts, but she might never see a courtroom as she may be found incompetent to stand trial.

Wow, so because she's old and appears harmless she might never be convicted of murder and not be sentenced to prison!? This is so unacceptable and justice needs to be served. By no means necessary should old age compromise wrong doing. If she is so called "incompetent" to stand trail then how was she able to strangle another woman. I don't care how old this lady is she needs to be treated just like everyone else and needs to serve time in jail.


District attorney, Sam Sutter, comments and answers questions about the homicide of Elizabeth Barrow. Click here