Grafton, West Virginia — A West Virginia woman, Kelly Louise Moore, has pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter after fatally poisoning her 81-year-old mother, Ethel Moore, by injecting her with unprescribed insulin.
Moore, 61, was initially facing a murder charge, but prosecutors offered a plea agreement, citing the absence of malicious intent.
Details of the Incident
The tragic event unfolded on the evening of May 25, 2023, when Kelly Moore, during an argument with her mother, injected Ethel Moore with 20 units of insulin. Both women were diabetic, but only Kelly Moore had a prescription for insulin.
Following the injection, Ethel Moore went into insulin shock and was later pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics after being found unresponsive in her bed.
Kelly Moore immediately called 911 after administering the insulin. Police and paramedics found her on the phone, seemingly “angry and annoyed,” and described her actions as inconsistent with what had happened.
According to her statements, she claimed that her mother’s blood sugar was high, and out of concern for her, she gave her some of her own insulin.
Investigation and Discovery
The investigation into the incident revealed that Kelly Moore had been in an ongoing argument with her mother before the fatal injection.
According to the affidavit, Ethel Moore had called her other daughter, who lived in Florida, claiming Kelly wasn’t taking proper care of her. The other daughter was reportedly “freaking out” about the situation.
Authorities learned that Kelly Moore had checked her mother’s blood sugar, which was high, prompting her decision to administer insulin.
However, her actions led to Ethel Moore’s death, which was later confirmed as insulin shock by an autopsy.
Kelly Moore did not tell her sister about the injection, initially leading the family to believe that Ethel Moore had died due to complications from a recent hip surgery. It wasn’t until the investigation deepened that the truth came to light.
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Plea Agreement and Legal Proceedings
In August 2024, the autopsy results determined Ethel Moore’s death was caused by insulin shock, and the manner of death was classified as homicide. Despite the initial murder charge, Kelly Moore entered a guilty plea to voluntary manslaughter.
Prosecutors explained that while Kelly Moore’s actions were reckless, there was no premeditation or malice. As a result, the charge was reduced.
Kelly Moore now faces a sentence ranging from three to 15 years in prison, with her sentencing hearing set to take place in the coming weeks.
A Heartbreaking Loss
Ethel Moore’s obituary describes her as a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who cherished her time with her family.
She was known for her warm heart, always giving hugs to those she met, and for enjoying trips to Walmart and McDonald’s, where she often made new friends.
Her death, though tragic, has raised questions about the dynamics between caregivers and elderly relatives, and the heartbreaking reality of how untreated emotional distress can lead to irreversible actions.
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