Police investigate daughter after woman’s death at Sydney aged care

Police say a woman is under investigation for the potential mercy killing of her mother at an aged care home in Sydney’s west.

Officers found the body of an 84-year-old woman at the Our Lady of Consolation aged care home on Evans Rd, Rooty Hillabout 11.35pm.

A 53-year-old woman was arrested at the scene.

A NSW police spokesman confirmed the woman was the deceased’s daughter.

NSW Police Superintendent Darrin Batchelor told media on Friday police believed the woman had allegedly administered a medical substance to her mother 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 stopped short of describing the incident as a mercy killing, although he noted the 84-year-old “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 arrested woman has no criminal history or known medical training.

He said, due to evidence at the scene and conversation with police, the 53-year-old was taken into custody, 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.

Superintendent Batchelor said a nine-year-old boy, known to the deceased, was also at the scene but had since been returned to family.

He said police were investigating “the circumstances” around how the 53-year-old came to be at the nursing home late at night.

The woman was taken to Mount Druitt Hospital “for an assessment” following her discussions with police.

“She was distressed when police arrived,” Superintendent Batchelor said.

“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 84-year-old deceased late on Thursday night, prompting a call to emergency services.

“The board and staff of Our Lady of Consolation are distressed by the death of our resident,” Mr 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.”

The facility is a non-for-profit aged care provider that has operated in western Sydney for 65 years.

Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers at 1800 333 000.