A woman from Florida is accused of assisting in her elderly mother’s death at the latter’s behest, according to police reports.

Sixty-six-year-old Martha Jo Blake faces charges of first-degree murder following the discovery of her 97-year-old mother, Patricia Blake, deceased in her residence on December 26. Law&Crime reviewed a probable cause affidavit which indicated that Patricia’s death was classified as a homicide. The autopsy uncovered signs that something had been pressed against her face, along with evidence suggesting possible strangulation.

Officers from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office arrived at Patricia Blake’s home on the morning of December 26, where they encountered Martha Blake. Initially, she claimed to have seen her mother alive the previous evening, but her narrative shifted after the autopsy findings were revealed.

At first, Martha Blake informed deputies that her mother had been battling Parkinson’s disease and a thyroid disorder. Since Patricia’s primary care doctor was based in Maine, the case was sent to the Palm Beach County Medical Examiner’s Office for further examination. The medical examiner observed anomalies that did not align with a natural death scenario.

The examiner noted the absence of post-mortem blood pooling in Patricia Blake’s nose, suggesting an obstruction placed on her face before death. Moreover, internal bleeding was detected in several areas, alongside petechiae in the eyes, cheeks, and mouth. Patricia’s neck also exhibited a fresh fracture and hemorrhaging on both sides.

Police reviewed the body camera footage from the scene and noted that Martha Blake insisted on staying with her mother’s body the whole time. After obtaining a search warrant for the home where the mother and daughter both lived, police spoke to Martha Blake again in a police vehicle. She was not placed under arrest and agreed to answer questions.

According to the probable cause affidavit, Martha Blake told police that she had been her mother’s caregiver for the past five years. A year and a half prior to Patricia Blake’s death, both mother and daughter purportedly discussed “death with dignity” with the older woman’s primary care physician in Maine. Martha Blake said the doctor told them that Patricia Blake was not eligible because she was not suffering from a terminal illness.

Police said that Martha Blake seemingly decided to take matters into her own hands. She told police that she and her mother discussed “suicide by taking pills,” but they did not have anything on hand that was “lethal” enough. Martha Blake explained to police that her mother told her “she did not want to live, and has told her this many times.” After Martha Blake was read her rights, she maintained the same story.

Martha Blake was arrested and charged with first-degree murder. She is being held at the Main Detention Center in West Palm Beach, Florida, without bond. Her next court date is scheduled for Jan. 25, 2026.