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95-year-old man charged with murder of roommate

95-year-old man charged with murder of roommate | iNFOnews.ca
Residents outside the dementia care unit Monday. Staff refused to speak to the media about the incident. Charlotte Helston

VERNON – A 95-year-old man has been remanded in custody on a murder charge after allegedly assaulting his roommate in an extended care unit at Vernon Jubilee Hospital.

John Furman made his first court appearance Monday. Furman and his 85-year-old roommate were both residents of a ward providing care to people whose dementia is complicated by behavioural or psychiatric issues. RCMP say the assault took place around 11 p.m. Sunday night, but haven't released many details about the incident.

Interior Health says they can't provide a spokesperson for the incident at this time, and won't be releasing specific details "in order to preserve the integrity of the investigation."

RCMP spokesperson Gord Molendyk says the Vernon Serious Crimes unit is continuing their homicide investigation at the care facility, and is expected to be gathering evidence there most of Tuesday.

The name of the victim is being withheld at this time. An autopsy is expected tomorrow.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Charlotte Helston at chelston@infotelnews.ca, call (250)309-5230 or tweet @charhelston.

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Charlotte Helston

By Charlotte Helston

REPORTER

Charlotte Helston grew up in Armstrong and after four years studying writing at the University of Victoria, she came back to do what she loves most: Connect with the community and bringing its stories to life.

Covering Vernon for iNFOnews.ca has reinforced her belief in community. The people and the stories she encounters every day—at the courthouse, City Hall or on the street—show the big tales in a small town.

If you have an opinion to share or a story you'd like covered, contact Charlotte at Charlotte Helston or call 250-309-5230.

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