Caressant Care’s Tragedy

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Chris Appello, Staff Writer '17

A 49-year-old woman and former nurse, Elizabeth Tracy Mae Wettlaufer of Woodstock, Ontario, has been charged with eight different counts of first-degree murder that span a number of years. Five women and three men, ranging 75-96 years old, died from fatal doses of an unidentified drug administered to their systems by Wettlaufer at Caressant Care, a long-term care facility in Woodstock.

A member of Caressant since 2007, Wettlaufer’s unauthorized acts of euthanasia have left several families torn apart by grief and heartache. Although there is a great deal of speculation into the motives, with some suggesting alcoholism and depression, her true intentions for these crimes are yet unknown.

One of Wettlaufer’s Facebook posts, specifically speaking of Father’s Day, has gone viral in the weeks following her crimes: “Father’s day is a great reminder of how blessed I am to still have my Dad alive and able to spend time with me.” The irony behind her words suggests her blindness and indifference to reality. She has severed family relationships eternally, yet promotes her own fortunate family strength and unity. Cases like Wettlaufer’s not only showcase the impact one’s actions can bear on others, but also raises a grim light on the medical field. As one anonymous employee from the Caressant facility stated, “It is a shame the actions of one person could color a whole profession.”