Overview

• Galina Smirnova, 95, was arraigned on second-degree murder and weapon possession charges and is being held without bail at Rikers Island.
• Investigators say a staff check found Nina Kravtsov, 89, alive around 8:55 p.m., and surveillance shows no one else entered the room before she was discovered gravely injured about an hour later.
• Nursing staff reported finding Smirnova in the bathroom washing blood from her hands, and the medical examiner determined Kravtsov died of blunt force trauma.
• A wheelchair foot pedal was recovered on the floor covered in blood, with a second pedal found outside beneath a window, and officials identified the part as the apparent weapon.
• Kravtsov’s family, represented by attorney Randy Zelin, says it plans civil action against Seagate Rehabilitation and Nursing Center and has raised concerns about Smirnova’s reported dementia and recent placement in the room.