In Clinton, Mississippi, a story of love and loss took a tragic turn, ending in the death of a 70-year-old woman and the arrest of her husband of over four decades. Rebecca 'Becky' Rosenzweig Ballenger, a resident of the Woodlands Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center, died on December 11, 2018. Her death was not from natural causes but was the result of a fatal gunshot wound.
Rebecca, a White female, had been recovering from a stroke at the nursing facility.
Her husband, Thomas Ballenger, then 70, told police that his wife had been distressed about her declining quality of life following the stroke. In a moment of what he seemingly perceived as a mercy, Thomas is reported to have taken his wife's life.
Following the shooting, Thomas Ballenger was arrested and charged with the murder of his wife. He was taken into custody by the Clinton Police Department. The case then moved to the Hinds County court system for legal proceedings.
Ultimately, Thomas Ballenger pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the death of his wife. In May 2019, a Hinds County judge sentenced him to 20 years in prison. The judge suspended 12 of those years, ordering Ballenger to serve eight years of incarceration. This sentence was followed by a period of five years of probation. The resolution of the case brought a somber end to a long life shared by the couple, highlighting the complex and tragic circumstances that can arise from declining health and the emotional toll it takes on loved ones.
