Deaths of elderly couple a year apart being treated as double murder

The deaths of an elderly Adelaide couple more than a year apart are being treated as suspicious as police declare a major crime investigation.

Brenda Anderson died on March 16 last year while her husband Lynton died on May 1 this year.

Detective Inspector Mark McEachern said the similarities and abnormalities in the toxicology results of the couple, both aged 94, provided the suspicion both were murdered by the same person.

Brenda Anderson was being treated for medical issues at Noarlunga Hospital on March 12 last year.

Police said her condition deteriorated and she was transferred to Flinders Medical Centre, where she died.

“Mrs Anderson’s hospital death was identified during the coronial investigation process after toxicology results gave significant rise for concern,” McEachern said.

“When an innocent explanation for toxicology abnormalities was eliminated, the possibility Mrs Anderson’s death being a deliberate act by another party became the primary subject of the investigation.

“It is believed Mrs Anderson was killed by a person known to her and in close enough relationship to have been visiting her while she was in hospital.

“Police have no concerns about the level of care in either hospital, which was exemplary.”

Lynton Anderson was found unconscious at home in Hackham by a carer on April 30.

He was taken by SA Ambulance to the Flinders Medical Centre in and died the following day.

Police said suspicions about the toxicology results for Brenda also raised concerns regarding the circumstances surrounding his death.

“Police have eliminated external carers involved with Mr Anderson’s care as being involved in his death,” police said.

“We have identified a suspect and won’t elaborate further.”

Police are appealing for information from anyone who may have had contact with the couple and may have knowledge of their deaths and the circumstances that led to them.

In particular, they wish to speak to anyone who may have knowledge of prescribed or non-prescribed medications each was using or had spoken about.