Nurse accused of murder for $1.5M insurance policy after tricking patient
A shocking case has emerged in Utah, where a registered nurse has been arrested and accused of aggravated murder after allegedly convincing her patient that she had terminal cancer and injecting her with a fatal dose of insulin in an attempt to claim the victim’s $1.5 million life insurance policy.
Meggan Randall Sundwall, 47, was taken into custody following the death of her patient, Kacee Lyn Terry, 38. Terry was found unresponsive in her home in Highland, UT on August 12, 2024, leading to a police investigation that uncovered disturbing details.
Terry’s uncle, Mark Farnsworth, made the distressing discovery and reported his niece’s condition to authorities. He described her as unconscious and struggling to breathe, likening her distress to that of someone drowning. Sundwall was found alone with Terry in the bedroom and claimed that the victim had been in that state for a couple of hours.
Sundwall informed officers that Terry, who she alleged had been battling terminal cancer for several years, had signed a do-not-resuscitate order and did not wish to be taken to the hospital. Paramedics found a diabetic needle at the scene, even though Terry was not diabetic. Her blood sugar level was dangerously low, prompting her transfer to Mountain Point Hospital in Lehi.
Despite claims from Terry’s sister that she had cancer for the past 4 to 5 years, her primary care physician confirmed that she never had cancer or any other major health issues. Terry was declared brain-dead and passed away on August 15, 2024, nearly three days after the initial emergency call.
Further investigation revealed that there was no do-not-resuscitate order in Terry’s name, and Sundwall had no legal authority over her medical decisions. Terry’s family expressed suspicions that Sundwall had been planning Terry’s death for years, with evidence found on Terry’s phone corroborating their fears.
Over 28,000 text messages between Sundwall and Terry detailed discussions of suicide and assisted death, with Sundwall allegedly offering to help Terry die and contemplating how her death would solve financial problems. Following Terry’s demise, Sundwall deleted incriminating texts and searched for her life insurance policy.
Sundwall believed she was the beneficiary of Terry’s $1.5 million life insurance policy, leading to her arrest on charges of first-degree aggravated murder and third-degree obstruction of justice. She is currently held without bail at Utah County Jail.
This tragic case serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance in healthcare settings and the need to protect vulnerable patients from potential harm. The investigation into Terry’s death continues, shedding light on the disturbing actions of a trusted healthcare professional.
