The deaths of an elderly couple are being investigated after evidence of poisoning was uncovered.
South Australia Police believe that Brenda and Lynton Anderson, both 94, from Hackham in Adelaide’s south were murdered.
Mrs Anderson died on March 16 2022 after she was taken to hospital for medical treatment while Mr Anderson died on May 1 2023, after being found unconscious by his carer the day before.
Police say there were the same abnormalities in the couple’s toxicology reports, which formed the basis for suspicions that the couple was murdered.
Detective Inspector Mark McEachern would not elaborate on what those abnormalities were, saying they were “suspicious in levels and type of medications that were in both people”.
Police believe the couple were murdered by the same person who is known to them, and have ruled out workers at the hospital or external carers involved with the couple.
Mrs Anderson had been taken in for treatment of an undisclosed medical issue at Noarlunga Hospital on March 12 2022.
Her condition deteriorated while in hospital before she was transferred to Flinders Medical Centre, where she died.
Police believe that the poisoning occurred while she was in hospital, “probably on the day that she was found to be in a very poor state of health, on the 12th of March last year”.
“When an innocent explanation for toxicology abnormalities was eliminated, the possibility Mrs Anderson’s death being a deliberate act by another party became the primary subject of the investigation,” Inspector McEachern said.
“It is believed Mrs Anderson was killed by a person known to her and in close enough relationship to have been visiting her while she was in hospital.”
Mr Anderson was discovered unconscious by a carer at his Hackham home on April 30 before being taken to Flinders Medical Centre, where he died the next day.
Police have identified a suspect but Inspector McEachern would not elaborate on what their relationship was to Mr and Mrs Anderson.
Inspector McEachern appealed for anyone with information, particularly of any prescribed or non-prescribed medications the couple were using, to come forward.
“We also appeal to anyone who may have so far withheld evidence or information from us to come forward regarding the deaths of both Mr And Mrs Anderson,” he said.
Police have spoken to several members of the Anderson‘s “close family” but would like to speak to more people.
The hospital has handed over the records of the people who visited Mrs Anderson in hospital, which police are pursuing.
The Anderson family are “shocked” by the allegations according to Inspector McEachern.
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