A Minnesota woman, Julie Myhre-Schnell, has pleaded guilty to attempting to murder her wheelchair-bound son by poisoning him with a lethal dose of anti-anxiety medication.
The 65-year-old woman, who was locked in divorce proceedings at the time, crushed Lorazepam pills and placed them in her son’s feeding bag at his group home in Vadnais Heights, hoping he would “go to sleep forever.”
Myhre-Schnell now faces significant prison time for the attempted murder, with her sentencing hearing set for November 7.
The Shocking Crime
Julie Myhre-Schnell’s attempt to kill her son occurred on December 3, 2023, when she visited him at Regency Home Care in Ramsey County. Her son, whose identity has not been released, suffers from spina bifida, is wheelchair-bound, and requires constant care, including the use of a ventilator.
Myhre-Schnell allegedly crushed Lorazepam pills and created a “slurry” that she put into her son’s feeding bag, intending to overdose him.
In one of several confessions, Myhre-Schnell admitted to authorities that she had planned to end her son’s life, hoping that he would never wake up. She later told investigators, “I was worried about them finding out through the toxicology, and I was probably trying to figure out what I’m going to do.
I’m just going to go to jail.” She expressed regret that her son survived the attempt, fearing that the toxicology report would implicate her in the crime.
Evidence and Confessions
Investigators uncovered significant evidence during their investigation. Myhre-Schnell’s text messages with her son, where she confessed to putting the medication in his feeding bag, were crucial in the case. In one such message, she admitted to him that she had hoped he would “go to sleep forever.”
When questioned by authorities, Myhre-Schnell confessed to the crime, recalling the emotional turmoil she felt while carrying out the act. Despite her inner conflict, she carried through with her plans, but her son survived the overdose attempt after experiencing respiratory failure.
The crime came to light when Myhre-Schnell admitted her actions to several people, including her son, and also confessed to authorities. She had been experiencing mental health challenges in the months leading up to the incident, which could have played a role in her actions. Investigators also found that she had recently refilled her Lorazepam prescription, which she used for the poisoning.
The Victim’s Reaction
After learning about the attempt on his life, the victim struggled to process the betrayal. In his messages to Myhre-Schnell, he stated that it was “heavy” and “a lot to process.” Despite the horror of the situation, he told authorities, “I made it, I’m still here,” demonstrating his resilience in the face of such a traumatic experience.
Legal Consequences
Julie Myhre-Schnell faces a maximum sentence of 18 years in prison after pleading guilty to attempted first-degree murder. While a plea deal with prosecutors allowed the aggravating factor of the victim being “particularly vulnerable” to be dismissed, Myhre-Schnell will still face severe penalties when she is sentenced in November 2024.
Her actions have left her family devastated and shocked, and her son will likely need continued care and support as he navigates the aftermath of this horrifying event.
Julie Myhre-Schnell’s case highlights the depths of betrayal a mother can inflict on her own child. Her actions, driven by her own personal struggles, left her son fighting for his life.
While Myhre-Schnell will face the legal consequences for her actions, the psychological and emotional toll on her son and the rest of the family will be lasting. This case serves as a reminder of the importance of addressing mental health issues before they lead to catastrophic consequences.
