ATLANTIC

Death of resident at N.S. continuing care facility ruled a homicide

CTV Atlantic Published Wednesday, June 14, 2017 3:17PM ADT Last Updated Wednesday, June 14, 2017 3:25PM ADT

Joan Birchell holds a snapshot of her late husband Gordon Birchell, at her home in Windsor Junction, N.S. on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016. Gordon Birchell, 79, died at the Ivy Meadows nursing home in October 2016 and Joan is alleging he was pushed by another resident with severe dementia, fell and died several days later. Police have opened a suspicious death investigation. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Vaughan)

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The RCMP say the death of a resident at a continuing care facility in Beaver Bank, N.S. has been ruled a homicide, but charges won’t be laid in the case.

Police responded to an assault call at The Ivy Meadows home on Oct. 26 after a 79-year-old man was pushed by a female resident. Police say the man sustained a head injury and was found lying on the floor.

Gordon Birchell died three days later, on Oct. 29.

An autopsy was conducted and the case was handed over to the RCMP’s homicide unit.

Police confirmed Wednesday that his death has been ruled a homicide, but no charges will be laid due to the “cognitive impairment of the suspect.”