In a tragic case in Grafton, West Virginia, 61-year-old Kelly Louise Moore has pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter after fatally injecting her 81-year-old mother, Ethel Moore, with unprescribed insulin.
The plea comes after prosecutors determined that Kelly lacked malicious intent in her mother’s death, despite the incident resulting from a heated family argument.
The Fatal Incident
On May 25, 2023, Kelly Moore and her mother, both diabetic, had an argument that escalated, leading Kelly to inject her mother with 20 units of insulin. While Kelly had a prescription for insulin to manage her own diabetes, her mother, Ethel, did not have a prescription for the medication.
Prosecutors explained that the insulin caused Ethel to go into shock, which led to her death shortly after the injection. Kelly Moore called 911, explaining to emergency responders that her mother’s blood sugar was high, prompting her to administer the insulin.
However, investigators later concluded that the act was not premeditated, nor was it done with malicious intent. As a result, the charge was reduced from murder to voluntary manslaughter, and Kelly Moore entered a plea agreement.
The Family Feud
The relationship between Kelly Moore and her mother had long been strained. Family members revealed that Kelly, the only unmarried sibling, had been living with and caring for her mother.
However, Ethel’s other daughter, who lived in Florida, had expressed concern over Ethel’s care, believing that she was not being properly looked after.
Before the fatal incident, Kelly Moore described her mother’s health issues, including arthritis, heart problems, and dementia. After checking her mother’s blood sugar and finding it to be high, Kelly decided to inject her with insulin. The decision, though made in a moment of frustration, led to a tragic outcome.
The Investigation and Legal Proceedings
Following Kelly Moore’s 911 call, law enforcement arrived at the scene to find her visibly emotional. Initially, Kelly suggested to her sister that their mother’s death might have been due to complications from hip surgery, but she later admitted to injecting her mother with insulin.
An autopsy confirmed that Ethel Moore died from insulin shock, and the cause of death was ruled a homicide. Initially, Kelly Moore was charged with murder, but after considering the lack of premeditation or malice, prosecutors reduced the charge to voluntary manslaughter.
A plea agreement was reached, and Kelly Moore now faces a prison sentence of three to 15 years.
The Community Remembers Ethel Moore
Ethel Moore’s family and friends remember her as a loving mother and grandmother. Described as someone who enjoyed reading books, spending time with her family, and taking trips to Walmart and McDonald’s, Ethel was known for greeting everyone with a hug and cherishing family moments.
Despite the tragedy, Ethel’s family continues to mourn her loss, with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren feeling the deep impact of her passing.
