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Nursing Home Murder a 'mercy killing' Says Victim's Daughter

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Roy Laird (Seal Beach Police Dept.)

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An octogenarian couple involved in a shooting in a Seal Beach nursing home is being called a "mercy killing" by the elderly pair's daughter, according to KTLA.Roy Charles Laird, 88, is in custody for the murder of his wife, Clara Laird, 86. A number of local authorities from multiple agencies, including the Seal Beach Police Department, California Highway Patrol, Los Alamitos police, Cypress police and the Orange County sheriff's department responded to the call at the Country Villa Healthcare Center Sunday afternoon.

The Laird's daughter, Kathy Palmateer, says that her mother suffered dementia, and only three months ago had been admitted to the facility after being cared for by her father. Once at the nursing home, Palmateer says her mother's health deteriorated.

Laird did not resist arrest when he was found, with a revolver, at the scene, reports ABC7.

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