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Man Charged With Second-Degree Murder in Fatal Assault on Minnesota Hospital Guard

The criminal complaint cites surveillance video alongside a responding officer’s account of a parking lot struggle after a patient fled a medical hold.

Overview

  • Jonathan Winch, 35, was charged Monday in Chisago County District Court in the death of Andrea Merrell, 43, at M Health Fairview Lakes Medical Center in Wyoming, Minnesota.
  • Police were called about a man leaving the emergency department against a medical hold and found Merrell unconscious beside a security vehicle with its lights activated.
  • An officer encountered a shirtless suspect trying to get into the security vehicle, deployed a Taser, and fought with him for about five minutes before additional officers made the arrest.
  • Security footage shows a larger person on top of and striking another person, consistent with Winch assaulting Merrell, who suffered severe head trauma and died Saturday at Regions Hospital.
  • Jail records show Winch remains in custody pending court proceedings, and the health system issued condolences and said it is supporting staff during the investigation.