On March 9, 2010, Harriett Helwege Hargrove, an 80-year-old Caucasian woman, was found deceased at The A.R.C., an Alzheimer's care facility in Jacksonville, North Carolina. Born on December 15, 1929, in Washington, D.C., Harriett had been a homemaker and was married to Curtiss Joseph Hargrove, also 80 years old, for over 60 years. Curtiss was a retired Marine master gunnery sergeant and had later worked for the Camp Lejeune school system in the maintenance department.
Authorities reported that Curtiss J. Hargrove visited his wife at the Alzheimer's care facility on the evening of March 9, 2010. During this visit, he allegedly shot Harriett in the head, resulting in her death, before turning the gun on himself in a suicide attempt. Curtiss was found alive but in critical condition and was placed on life support at New Hanover Regional Medical Center. He had left instructions for his family regarding their affairs after their deaths.
The Onslow County Medical Examiner's Office confirmed that Harriett's death was due to gunshot wounds to the head and classified it as a homicide. Given Curtiss's critical condition, the District Attorney's Office awaited further developments before deciding on potential charges. District Attorney Dewey Hudson expressed the tragedy of the situation, acknowledging the challenges faced by caregivers of Alzheimer's patients.
Harriett and Curtiss Hargrove were residents of Maysville, North Carolina, and were survived by their children: Renee Harriett Hargrove McLaurin of Richlands, Rex Hargrove of Maysville, and Randolph "Randy" Curtiss Hargrove of Twenty Nine Palms, California, along with six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Private memorial services were planned, and the family requested that memorial donations be made to The A.R.C. or the Alzheimer's Association.
This tragic incident highlights the emotional and psychological toll that Alzheimer's disease can have on patients and their families. Caregivers often face immense stress, and it's crucial for them to seek support and resources to manage the challenges associated with the disease.
