The deaths of an elderly South Australian couple, a year apart, are being investigated as a double murder.
Brenda Anderson, 94, died on March 16, 2022, while her husband Lynton Anderson, also 94, died on May 1 this year.
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The similarities and abnormalities in the couples’ toxicology reports “provided the suspicion both were murdered by the same person”, Detective Inspector Mark McEachern said.
On Friday, the couple’s son Graham Anderson told 7NEWS he was aware police had been investigating his parent’s deaths and so Thursday’s public plea for help came as no surprise.
Brenda Anderson was being treated for medical issues at Noarlunga Hospital on March 12, 2022, when her condition deteriorated. She was transferred to Flinders Medical Centre where she died.
Her death was investigated after toxicology results “gave significant rise for concern,” McEachern said.
When an innocent explanation for toxicology abnormalities was eliminated, the possibility that her death was a “deliberate act by another party” became the primary focus of an investigation.
“It is believed Mrs Anderson was killed by a person known to her and in close enough relationship to have been visiting her while she was in hospital,” McEachern said.
A carer found Lynton Anderson unconscious in his Hackham home on April 30 this year.
He was also taken to Flinders Medical Centre where he died the following day.
Toxicology raises concerns
Suspicions were raised about his death after toxicology results were released.
“The toxicology in both people was quite similar as far as raising our suspicions that the medication that was in there should not have been there,” McEachern said.
“There was no reason for the medication to have been in their system.”
Prescribed medication is believed to be the cause of their deaths, McEachern said.
He would not elaborate on the medication.
“Suffice to say they were abnormal and very suspicious in levels and type of medications that were in both people,” he said.
Suspect identified
Police have no concerns about the care the couple received in hospital or by external carers.
“We have identified a suspect and won’t elaborate any further,” McEachern said.
Hospital visitor logs have been examined as part of the investigation.
Police “don’t know” yet if the alleged poisoning occurred over multiple days or at once, McEachern said.
Anyone with information regarding the Andersons’ deaths is urged to contact the authorities, in particular anyone who may have knowledge of prescribed or non-prescribed medications each were using or had spoken about.
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