An incident at a Mount Pleasant memory care facility has led to the tragic death of an 84-year-old woman, raising concerns about resident safety and mental health care in senior living environments.
84-Year-Old Woman Dies After Being Thrown Down at Memory Care Facility
Margarette Cooper, a resident of The Artisan assisted living facility in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, died on August 24 at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC). According to the Charleston County Coroner’s Office, her death came just one day after an incident involving another resident in the facility’s memory care unit — a specialised area for individuals with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.
Incident Details: What Happened on August 23?
According to a report from the Mount Pleasant Police Department (MPPD), officers were called to the facility around 7 p.m. on August 23 for an assault. When they arrived, they found Cooper lying unconscious on the floor of a hallway in the memory care wing.
Witnesses and staff told police that Cooper had been walking alongside another female resident, who suddenly grabbed her by the front of her collar and threw her to the ground, causing her to lose consciousness. Both Cooper and the other resident were taken to the hospital for medical evaluation. Cooper died the following day.
Mental Health Concerns Raised in Police Report
When police interviewed the second resident, they noted she did not give relevant answers and appeared confused about the situation. The incident report mentioned that she “did not understand what happened or what she did.”
Staff at the facility told police they had already noticed a “severe change in behaviour and mental capability” in the resident and had requested that she be taken to the emergency room for evaluation prior to the incident.
No Arrests, Investigation Ongoing
As of now, no arrests have been made, and police are treating it as a death investigation. Authorities are likely awaiting the full autopsy report and mental health evaluations before deciding on possible legal actions. These reports usually take 10 to 12 weeks to be completed.
Facility Responds to the Tragic Incident
SRG Senior Living, the company that manages The Artisan, released a statement saying:
“We can confirm an incident between two memory care residents occurred the evening of Saturday, August 23, 2025. Local authorities were immediately summoned, and we are cooperating with their investigation. Our hearts go out to the resident’s loved ones during this time of loss.”
They added that, out of respect for the families involved, they would not provide further details.
Raising Questions About Safety in Memory Care Units
This incident has sparked serious concerns about how behavioural changes in memory care residents are managed. Families place immense trust in these facilities to care for loved ones with dementia or similar conditions. When mental health deteriorates rapidly, facilities must be equipped to act quickly to protect all residents.
Key questions being raised include:
Are staff trained to recognise early signs of aggressive behaviour?
What safety protocols are in place when one resident becomes a danger to others?
How often are mental health assessments conducted for residents showing signs of decline?
Margarette Cooper’s death is a heartbreaking event that highlights the delicate balance of care, compassion, and safety in memory care environments. As the investigation continues, her family and the broader community are left seeking answers — not only about what happened, but how such a tragedy might be prevented in the future.
