Uniontown woman charged with homicide, neglect in brother’s death
A Uniontown woman assigned as her brother’s primary caregiver was charged with homicide Wednesday following his death July 28.
Uniontown City Police Department issued an arrest warrant for Leatha Mae Thorpe, 57, of 72 Murray Ave. in Paul “Tony” Thorpe’s death.
The 46-year-old was found dead in the Murray Avenue home by his nephew at about 2 p.m.
Police and Fayette EMS responded to the scene, which was infested with cockroaches, according to court documents.
A final autopsy report returned to police Oct. 10 said Paul Thorpe died from complications of dehydration and malnourishment, a malignant neck tumor and inadequate supportive care. Court documents noted his care was inadequate despite hospice and palliative care in place with Fayette Home Health Care. Other factors that contributed to his death were pneumonia, high blood levels of a narcotic analgesic, oxygen dependency and a tracheotomy, court documents indicate.
When police and EMS arrived, Leatha Thorpe was backing out of the driveway saying she had to “do something important,” police said. She later returned and spoke to police, then left again saying “she just needed to drive,” according to court paperwork.
Police said Paul Thorpe’s body was found in a recliner in his bedroom. He appeared “very skinny” and had a feeding tube in his stomach. Cockroaches were on his body and throughout the room. There were three oxygen tanks in the room, but Thorpe’s friend, Playford Hart, said Thorpe didn’t use them because he liked to smoke.
When Hart was asked about the cockroaches, he told police he cleaned the room three days ago. When Leatha Thorpe was asked the same, she said she tried pesticides but “could not keep up with the problem.” She told police she checked on her brother that morning between 7:30 and 8 a.m. when she came home from work. She said her brother said “hello” and she went to bed.
Charges were filed before Magisterial District Judge Michael Metros.