No charges after nursing home homicide

HALIFAX — The death of an elderly Halifax-area woman has been ruled a homicide, but investigators say no charges will be laid because the 77-yearold suspect is not criminally culpable.

Police say an 86-year-old woman died on Sept. 3 following complications from an injury sustained during an altercation with a 77-year-old woman on June 7 at a continuing care home.

They say the suspect is not criminally culpable due to her cognitive impairment. Halifax Regional Police say the medical examiner called officers to Oakwood Terrace in Dartmouth on Sept. 4.

The medical examiner conducted an autopsy on Sept. 5 and ruled the death a homicide. Police say they have completed their investigation and in consultation with the Public Prosecution Service, they have decided not to lay charges against the 77-year-old woman.