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A Florida woman, aged 66, faces murder charges following the death of her 97-year-old mother, whom she allegedly killed at the elder’s behest.
Martha Jo Blake has been charged with first-degree murder after an autopsy indicated her mother died due to suffocation or strangulation, according to a report by the Palm Beach Post. The examination revealed a recent neck fracture, internal bleeding on both sides of the neck, and signs that an object had been placed over her face.
Blake is currently being held without bond, pending a pretrial detention hearing.
Authorities arrived at the Blake residence shortly before 8 a.m. on Friday, where they discovered Patricia Blake deceased, as noted in the arrest report. Martha Jo Blake informed investigators that she had been the primary caregiver for her mother, who had Parkinson’s disease and a thyroid condition, for the past five years.
Initially, Blake informed investigators that she last saw her mother alive around 10 p.m. on Thursday, as reported by WPEC.
Blake said her mother had told her she wanted to die because of her health issues and had previously discussed that matter with her primary care physician in Maine, where “Death with Dignity” is legal. It is not in Florida.
But the mother was ineligible for Maine’s Medical Aid in Dying program because her illnesses, while difficult and debilatating, were not terminal.
So, Blake said, she and her mother discussed other options, including pills, but the determined they didn’t have enough of those to kill her.