Man, 76, accused of killing roommate at nursing home
WARREN RI (WPRI) – A 76-year-old nursing home patient has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of his 81-year-old roommate.
Police were called to the Crestwood Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Warren, Rhode Island, shortly after 10 p.m. Thursday regarding the “sudden death” of a male patient.
Staff told police a nurse went to check on the two men when the suspect, identified as Robert Hill, refused her entry, according to court documents. She eventually pushed her way inside and found Hill standing over the victim. They believe Hill smothered his roommate with pillow stuffing.
Court documents say Hill was removed from the room and later told staff, “He tried to kill me first. He’s been trying to kill me for five, ten years.”
At his arraignment, Hill was held without bail and subjected to a competency assessment. He has to appear in court again on May 8th.
Nexstar’s WPRI visited the nursing home on Friday after the court documents were released, but staff could not comment as it is an active investigation.
Caleb O’Blenis, a local resident whose grandmother lives at the retirement home, said he never expected such an alleged crime to take place in a nursing home.
“Just the idea of it is kind of scary, knowing that a relative of mine might be on the other end of it,” O’Blenis said. “It’s definitely terrifying to hear about.”
