An elderly woman has died following a tragic incident at a Mount Pleasant assisted living facility, and authorities are now investigating what may have led to her death. The situation highlights ongoing concerns about safety and mental health in memory care units.
84-Year-Old Woman Dies After Assisted Living Facility Incident
Margarette Cooper, 84, passed away at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) on August 24, just one day after an alleged assault at The Artisan, an assisted living facility in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. The incident reportedly took place in the facility’s memory care unit, a specialized area for residents with cognitive conditions like Alzheimer’s or dementia.
Charleston County Chief Deputy Coroner Brittney Martin confirmed Cooper’s death and stated that both the cause and manner of death are still pending, with the final report expected within 10 to 12 weeks.
What Police Found at the Scene
Mount Pleasant Police responded to a call at around 7 p.m. on August 23, after staff reported an assault inside the memory care unit. According to the police report:
Cooper was found unconscious on the floor.
Witnesses said she was walking with another female resident when the woman grabbed her collar and threw her to the ground, causing her to lose consciousness.
Emergency medical services (EMS) arrived and rushed Cooper to a nearby hospital, where she died the next day.
Questions Around the Second Resident’s Mental State
The woman who allegedly pushed Cooper was interviewed by police but was unable to give clear or relevant answers. Officers noted that she seemed confused and did not understand what had happened.
Staff at the facility told police that they had recently observed a “severe change” in the woman’s mental condition and behavior. Because of this, they had already requested that she be taken to an emergency room for psychiatric evaluation. It’s unclear if that evaluation occurred before or after the incident.
No Arrests Yet, But Investigation Continues
So far, no one has been arrested, and police say the case remains under active investigation. Authorities are likely awaiting the final autopsy report before making any decisions about potential charges.
Given the location of the incident — a memory care unit — and the mental health status of the other resident involved, investigators are proceeding with caution. Determining intent and capacity to understand one’s actions will likely play a critical role in the outcome.
Raising Awareness on Elder Care and Safety
This heartbreaking case raises broader questions:
How are behavioral changes in memory care residents monitored and addressed?
What protocols are in place to protect vulnerable individuals from harm — even from each other?
As families entrust their loved ones to long-term care facilities, they expect those places to have safeguards, especially in units dealing with serious cognitive decline.
Margarette Cooper’s death is a tragic reminder of the vulnerabilities that come with aging and cognitive impairment. While her cause of death is still pending, the circumstances raise serious concerns about care standards and mental health support in assisted living facilities. The community, investigators, and Cooper’s family will now await further findings to understand exactly what happened — and what steps can be taken to prevent such incidents in the future.
