Louise B. DeKler, a 98-year-old woman of Dutch ethnicity, passed away on March 29, 2009, at the Pine Lake Health & Rehab center in Carthage, North Carolina. She had moved to Carthage from New Jersey to be closer to her family. Louise was a homemaker and a volunteer for Meals on Wheels in Morris County, New Jersey. She was also a member of Brookside Seniors and enjoyed bowling.
On the day of her death, Robert Stewart, a 45-year-old man, went on a shooting rampage at the Pinelake Health
and Rehab center. Stewart shot and killed eight elderly residents, including Louise DeKler, and wounded two others. The shooting began in the parking lot, where Stewart shot up his estranged wife's car, and then he entered the nursing home, firing at residents at point-blank range. Stewart was later found guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
The tragic incident left the community in shock and grief, as the victims were all elderly residents who had been living peacefully at the nursing home. Louise DeKler's daughter, Linda Feola, described her mother as an independent and lively woman who enjoyed spending time in the recreation room at the nursing home. The loss of Louise and the other victims was deeply felt by their families and the community.
In the aftermath of the shooting, Stewart's defense argued that he was in a sleepwalking state due to a combination of prescription drugs, including Ambien. However, the prosecution successfully argued that Stewart was aware of his actions and was on a rampage looking for his estranged wife. The trial concluded with Stewart being sentenced to multiple life terms without the possibility of parole.
The incident highlighted the vulnerability of elderly residents in nursing homes and the need for increased security measures to protect them from such tragic events. The families of the victims continue to remember and honor their loved ones, who were taken too soon in this senseless act of violence.
