Mary Anna Colwell, a 92-year-old female, passed away on Tuesday, December 28, 2021, while a resident at Belair Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center in Lower Burrell, Pennsylvania. For nearly two years, her family believed she had died of natural causes. However, the circumstances surrounding her death took a dark turn when investigators from the state Attorney General's Office began looking into it as a potential criminal act.
The investigation led to former nurse Heather Pressdee, who
was charged with the deaths of multiple patients under her care. It is alleged that Pressdee administered a lethal dose of insulin to Colwell. According to a lawsuit filed by Colwell's grandson, her condition rapidly deteriorated on the day of her death. The lawsuit claims that Pressdee spent an excessive amount of time with Colwell and prevented another staff member from entering her room shortly before she died.
Pressdee is facing numerous murder and attempted homicide charges in connection with the deaths and injuries of patients at multiple facilities where she had been employed. Investigators discovered that Pressdee had a history of being fired or forced to resign from a dozen other nursing homes and rehabilitation centers due to abusive behavior towards residents and staff. The family of Mary Colwell has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the Belair Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center, claiming her death could have been prevented with more stringent hiring practices and better patient monitoring. As of late 2023, Heather Pressdee was in jail awaiting trial.
