In a tragic case in Grafton, West Virginia, Kelly Louise Moore, 61, has pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter after fatally injecting her 81-year-old mother, Ethel Moore, with unprescribed insulin.
Originally facing a murder charge, Kelly Moore’s plea agreement comes after prosecutors determined she lacked malicious intent in her mother’s death, and the argument between the two escalated during a heated exchange.
The Fatal Incident
On May 25, 2023, Kelly Moore and her mother, both diabetic, had an argument that led to Kelly Moore injecting Ethel with 20 units of insulin. While Kelly was prescribed insulin for her own diabetes, her mother did not have a prescription for the medication.
Prosecutors explained that the insulin caused Ethel to go into shock, and she died shortly after the injection.
Emergency responders arrived at the scene after Kelly Moore called 911. She explained to authorities that her mother’s blood sugar was high, prompting her to give her mother the insulin.
However, investigators later concluded that the act was not premeditated, nor was there any malicious intent, which led to the voluntary manslaughter plea.
The Family Feud
Kelly Moore and her mother had a strained relationship, and family members described a longstanding tension between the two. Kelly, the only unmarried sibling, had been living with her mother and caring for her.
However, Ethel Moore’s other daughter, who lived in Florida, expressed concern about her mother not being adequately cared for, as revealed in police reports.
In the moments leading up to the fatal incident, Kelly Moore described her mother’s health conditions, including her arthritis, heart problems, and dementia. After checking Ethel’s blood sugar, which was high, Kelly decided to inject her with insulin, leading to her mother’s sudden death.
The Investigation and Legal Proceedings
After Kelly Moore’s 911 call, law enforcement arrived at the scene to find her in an emotional state. Despite initially telling her sister that their mother’s death was likely due to complications from her hip surgery, Kelly Moore later admitted to injecting her mother with insulin.
The autopsy confirmed that Ethel Moore died from insulin shock, and the manner of death was ruled a homicide.
Kelly Moore was arrested and charged with murder, but prosecutors later reduced the charge to voluntary manslaughter, considering the lack of premeditation or malice. A plea agreement was reached, and Kelly Moore now faces between three and 15 years in prison.
The Community Remembers Ethel Moore
Ethel Moore’s family remembers her as a loving mother and grandmother who enjoyed spending time with her family, reading books, and taking trips to Walmart and McDonald’s. Her obituary describes her as a person who greeted everyone with a hug and cherished family moments.
The death of Ethel Moore, while tragic, highlights the complexities of family dynamics and the devastating consequences that can arise from unresolved tensions.
Kelly Moore’s guilty plea for voluntary manslaughter brings some closure to this heartbreaking case, but the loss of Ethel Moore continues to affect her family, especially her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
