Husband visiting 81-year-old wife at nursing home fatally shoots her then himself, police say

CROMWELL, Conn. (WFSB/Gray News) - Police are investigating after a man allegedly fatally shot his 81-year-old wife before taking his own life at a Connecticut nursing home.

Police responded just before 11 a.m. Friday to Apple Rehab, a long-term care facility in Cromwell. The husband of an 81-year-old resident came to visit, went into her room, shot and killed her then shot and killed himself, according to company officials. No one was else in the room at the time of the incident.

Police identified the victim as 81-year-old Barbara Brandt and the suspect as her husband, 82-year-old Dennis Brandt, WFSB reports.

Officials with Apple Rehab say there were no previous threats, and a motive is unclear. Barbara Brandt had been at the facility for three years, according to the company, and her husband had been visiting without problems.

Facility staff are being commended for how quickly they called 911, went into lockdown mode and protected other residents. No one else was injured in the incident.

Rich Bolbrock, a sales representative, had just stepped inside the nursing home when he heard gunshots.

“I walked into the lobby, heard a lady scream, heard about five shots go off... Everyone in the lobby hit the deck,” he said.

He ran outside.

Sherda Baker’s mother was inside working at the time of the incident.

“Very scary, nerve-wracking because she called me crying. She said she saw a few ladies running. Then, she heard the gunshot, and she started running,” Baker said. “She said she locked herself in the bathroom with another employee.”

The shooting is being called a sad and tragic event that never should have happened.

“It’s just too much,” Baker said. “Nobody should have to experience this.”

When asked about security protocol, Apple Rehab officials said there is a front desk check-in point where people are told what they can and can’t bring into the facility. Dennis Brandt was screened in as normal, according to Michael Landi, the company’s vice president of operations.

“This was a completely unfortunate tragedy,” Landi said. “She was admitted in 2021, so people knew her well. It was a small facility, so obviously, the grief of the staff has been immediate.”

Landi says the facility is reviewing their security protocols. Counselors are now helping staff and residents grieve.

Apple Rehab provided a statement on Friday afternoon:

It is with great sadness to inform you that the husband of one of our residents at Apple Rehab Cromwell took the life of his wife and then his own this morning.

The resident, who was 81 years of age had been with us for three years was in her room at the time of the tragedy. She did not have a roommate and there were no witnesses. Our staff reacted immediately by calling 911. No other residents or staff were injured or involved.

There were no known previous threats and the motive is unknown to us at this time.

Our focus will remain on our staff and residents and we will be providing any and all resources and counseling services that they may need to get through this tragic event, many of which are already onsite.

We will provide you more details as we get them but currently we will be working closely with the Cromwell Police Department and other state agencies.

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