Venerable 60-year-old faced neglect and abuse before death, caregivers accused of murder

Two caregivers abused and neglected a 60-year-old patient leading to her death, and now they face murder charges, authorities said.

In February, police started to investigate the case of a 60-year-old woman who suffered life-threatening injuries in Memphis, according to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigations. Authorities did not detail the extent of the victim’s injuries.

The victim was identified as Cynthia Garrison and she later died from her injuries. Police said she was abused and neglected.

From the start of the investigation, Memphis police arrested a caregiver, Anthony Freeman, and charged him with aggravated neglect of a vulnerable adult and tampering with evidence, according to the bureau.

Garrison lived in a home owned by Brenda Hightower, who also worked as a caregiver, the bureau noted.

Last week, a grand jury indicted Hightower and Freeman on first-degree murder and other charges.

Hightower was arrested on March 22 and was booked into jail, where she is being held without bond. Freeman has been in jail since his arrest and his bond was set at $2 million.