Chesterfield County police on Wednesday said two suspects have been arrested and charged after their neglect led to the death of a quadriplegic man in their care.
Louis Smith, 54, and Jennifer Stewart, 36, both have been charged with murder and abuse of a vulnerable adult in connection with the July 2023 death of Matthew Runion, 36, of Chesterfield, according to court records.
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Police said officers initially responded to a residence in the 8600 block of Rainwater Road on July 25 for the reports of a medical emergency. At the scene, first responders determined that Runion, who lived in the home, had suffered cardiac arrest.
He was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.
The investigation into the incident indicated that Runion had died “as a result of long-term neglect” on the part of Smith and Stewart, who were his caretakers, police said. Both suspects were indicted May 20 charges related to Runion’s death and were arrested Thursday afternoon.
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Chesterfield police Lieutenant Matthew Dunn declined to to divulge specific details regarding the neglect or Runion’s physical state at the time of his death, but said it was “quite obvious the victim in this matter had not been taken care of for a long time.”
Smith and Stewart are being held in the Chesterfield County Jail without bond, police said. Stewart is next scheduled to appear in court on June 17, court records show. Smith’s next court date could not immediately be determined.
The incident remains under investigation.
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Samuel B. Parker (804) 649-6462
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