95-year-old nursing home resident charged with murder in death of roommate

NEW YORK — A 95-year-old woman has been charged with murder and criminal possession of a weapon in the death of her 89-year-old nursing home roommate at Seagate Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Coney Island, Brooklyn, according to authorities. Galina Smirnova, 95, was arrested after the alleged assault and later transferred to a hospital before her next hearing. The incident occurred Sunday at the facility, officials said.

Kravtsov, an 89-year-old resident identified as a Holocaust survivor from Ukraine, was found by a nurse at the center, covered in blood and unresponsive. The nurse reported that Smirnova, Kravtsov’s roommate, was washing blood from her hands and clothing in their shared bathroom, according to investigators. A bloody wheelchair pedal, reportedly discarded from a third-floor window, has been identified as the potential murder weapon.

Smirnova’s hospital gown and legs were stained with blood, and Kravtsov sustained multiple facial injuries in the assault, according to police. The center has not released additional details about the sequence of events, and authorities have provided no formal arraignment date as the investigation continues. Smirnova remained in hospital custody at the time of the report.

Family members of residents at Seagate told FOX 5 they were concerned about safety at the facility and the protection of their loved ones. One relative described feeling terrified and said they contacted others to confirm relatives’ safety following the incident.

The case highlights ongoing concerns about safety protocols in long-term care settings. Health officials emphasize safeguarding measures and staff training, while investigators continue to evaluate what occurred and whether additional charges will follow. The patient-care environment has drawn renewed attention to elder-care safety amid broader public health discussions about nursing home oversight and resident protection.