Aged-care worker charged over death of Baptistcare Bethel Residential Care resident

A teenage worker has been charged with murder after a post-mortem revealed a 70-year-old aged-care resident had been strangled.

Jacob Hoysted, 19, was arrested on Friday over the death of Monica Stockdale, who was a resident of Baptistcare Bethel Residential Care in Albany, Western Australia.

Ms Stockdale died on November 28 and her death was not treated as suspicious until the results of her post-mortem examination came back.

Major crime division’s Detective Inspector Quentin Flatman said the examination showed Ms Stockdale died from strangulation.

Jacob Hoysted had been working as a carer at the facility for about 12 months and is believed to have worked at other homes in the past

Hoysted had been working as a carer at the facility for about 12 months and believed to have worked at other homes in the past. 

Detective Inspector Flatman said investigations would continue.

‘No death is any greater than any others, however, when we have the death of an elderly female who is in a care facility at this time of year it really resonates with all of us,’ he said.

‘What a tragedy this could be.’

Baptistcare said the alleged murder shocked the community and it was working closely with police.

‘Baptistcare would like to express their deepest condolences to the family and friends of Miss Monica Stockdale,’ acting joint chief executive Amanda Vivian said .

‘Her tragic death has shocked everyone who lives and works at Baptistcare Bethel Residential Care in Albany as well as the broader Great Southern community.

Baptistcare said the death had shocked the community and it was working closely with police

‘Our thoughts and prayers are with all those who knew and loved Miss Stockdale.’

Ms Vivian said Baptistcare would bring in specialist counsellors to provide support to the community.

‘Supporting our Bethel Residential Care residents, employees and their families through this difficult time is our immediate priority,’ she said.

Hoysted was charged with murder and appeared in the Magistrates Court in Northbridge on Saturday.

He was remanded in custody and will appear in Stirling Gardens Magistrates Court on December 28.