Overview: Martha Jo Blake, 66, was arrested on Dec. 27 after an autopsy ruled the Dec. 26 death of her 97-year-old mother, Patricia Blake, a homicide. The Palm Beach County Medical Examiner found traumatic injuries inconsistent with a natural death, and investigators say some injuries can be associated with strangulation. Police collected clothing and socks as evidence, and the affidavit notes prior discussions about 'death with dignity' that a Maine physician said did not qualify.
Florida Woman Arrested After Autopsy Finds Strangulation Injuries in 97-Year-Old Mother’s Death
Palm Beach Sheriff's OfficeMartha Jo Blake
A 66-year-old Florida woman has been arrested after an autopsy concluded that her 97-year-old mother's death was a homicide, according to a probable cause affidavit obtained by PEOPLE.
Martha Jo Blake was booked on a first-degree murder charge at the Palm Beach County Detention Center on Dec. 27 and is being held without bail, court records show. Deputies from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office responded to a West Palm Beach home on Dec. 26 for what investigators described as a 'death investigation' and found Patricia Blake, 97, deceased in the residence.
Because Patricia's primary care physician was based out of state, the case was referred to the Palm Beach County Medical Examiner’s Office. The examiner reported a 'combination of injuries that were not consistent with a natural death' and subsequently ruled the death a homicide, the affidavit states. Investigators later obtained a search warrant after the autopsy documented traumatic injuries that 'can be associated with strangulation.'
During the search, police collected several items as evidence, including white calf-length socks discovered in a garbage bag and clothing the affidavit alleges Martha said she had been wearing when Patricia was strangled. Much of the probable cause affidavit is redacted, and the documents do not make clear whether an explicit confession was made.
Caregiving, 'Death With Dignity' Discussions
The affidavit states Martha had been her mother's caregiver for about five years. She reportedly told investigators that she and Patricia discussed 'death with dignity'—a term commonly used to describe physician-assisted suicide—with Patricia's primary care doctor in Maine roughly a year and a half earlier. According to the affidavit, the Maine physician determined Patricia did not qualify because she did not have a terminal illness.
Martha also told investigators that Patricia frequently expressed that she did not want to live and that the two had once discussed suicide by pills, but 'decided that they did not have anything that was lethal that she could take,' the affidavit says.
Legal context: Florida has not passed legislation allowing physician-assisted suicide.
Martha's defense attorney declined to comment to PEOPLE on Dec. 30. The investigation remains active and authorities have not publicly released further details about motive or additional evidence.
