DAY 3 Suspicious deaths among North Carolina's elderly are most commonly overlooked, worrying experts in elder abuse. DAY 4 Other states modernize death investigations. Deaths of the elderly often unquestioned In North Carolina, state guidelines call for autopsies of anyone in apparent good health who dies unexpectedly from unknown causes. But those same rules say deaths in the elderly should be considered case by case only.
Experts worry deadly abuse and neglect is overlooked.
While his girlfriend watched, court records say, he slipped into the bedroom and stood over his sleeping grandmother. With his left hand, he smothered her with a pillow.