OC Coroner rules Seneca Death a Homicide

Oconee County Coroner Karl Addis announces that the recent death of a Seneca woman has been ruled a homicide. Addis says that 92-year-old Alma Louise Gaines of 689 Henderson Drive in Seneca, died at 3:24am on Jan. 17, 2018 at the Cottingham Hospice House in Seneca. Gaines was presented and admitted to Oconee Memorial Hospital on Dec. 18, 2017. Ms. Gaines reportedly sustained a fall several days earlier at her home. Due to the circumstances of her admission to the hospital, the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office was notified and an investigation was initiated. Ms. Gaines was transferred to Hospice care on Dec. 27, 2017. An autopsy was performed on Jan. 18. Addis reports that Ms. Gaines died from medical complications secondary to her fall and neglect by a family member in providing her assistance. Her manner of death was classified a homicide.