A Seal Beach nursing home resident died Sunday, Nov. 21, apparently from a single gunshot wound to her head.
The Seal Beach Police Department is calling the death a homicide.
The victim has been identified as Clara Laird, 86.
Seal Beach Police arrested her husband Sunday afternoon in a Country Villa Healthcare Center apartment, located outside Leisure World on North Gate Road (formerly Beverly Manor Road).
Roy Charles Laird, 88, is in the Orange County Jail. He was booked on suspicion of violating California Penal Code 187, murder.
According to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department Web site, Laird is being held on $1 million bail.
On Monday, Nov. 23, the Orange County District Attorney’s Office announced that Laird would be arraigned that day on one felony count of murder with a sentencing enhancement for the personal discharge of a firearm causing death.
Laird, 88, could be sentenced to 50 years to life if convicted on both the murder charge and the sentence enhancement. A murder conviction alone carries the sentence of 25 years to life.
According to the Seal Beach Police Department’s Facebook page, the arraignment has been postponed.
Seal Beach Police Sgt. Steve Bowles said the killing has been characterized in the media as a mercy killing. However, Bowles said he did not have access to Clara Laird’s medical records.
The DA’s press release said Clara Laird was in late stage dementia and was receiving 24-hour a day care at Country Villa Health Care Center.
Bowles, who is the public information officer for the SBPD, said Roy Laird basically went inside the nursing home and fired one shot. The Sheriff’s Department Web site said his next court appearance is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 23.
Bowles confirmed that Laird was scheduled to be arraigned on that date. According to White Pages.com, Charles and Clara Laird lived in Leisure World.
According to the DA’s Office, the couple were married for 69 years. Seal Beach Police received a report of gunfire at 12:07 p.m., Nov. 21. Seal Beach Police asked for help from the Los Alamitos Police Department, Cypress Police Department, Orange County Sheriffs Department and the California Highway Patrol.
Tactical teams approached the nursing home and went to the apartment identified in the original 911 call. According to the Seal Beach Police, they found Clara Laird dead. Laird was arrested without incident.
Police also found a revolver, which appears to have been the weapon.
While Roy Laird has been arrested, he has not been tried. A preliminary hearing has not yet been scheduled. After a preliminary hearing is scheduled, a judge will decide if there is enough evidence to justify having a trial.
According to the Country Villa Healthcare Center Web site, the company operates 50 nursing homes throughout California.
“We offer complex medical care, rehabilitation, sub-acute care, skilled nursing, Alzheimer’s, long-term skilled nursing care, and Assisted Living centers,” the Web site said.
