South Carolina Assisted Living Home Death Suit Settled for $1.5M

A settlement of $1.5 million has been reached in the case of a Rock Hill assisted-living resident who was smothered to death by an employee in 2011.

The Herald of Rock Hill reported that 82-year-old Pauline Cook was found dead in her room at Park Pointe Village.

Court records show the settlement of the 2012 wrongful death lawsuit was filed with court officials last week.

Michael Smith with Park Pointe Village confirmed the settlement but would not talk about it.

Braquette Walton was found guilty of murder in November 2012 and was sentenced to life in prison.

Prosecutors say Cook had discovered that Walton was stealing and cashing Cook’s checks and had reported the situation to police. Walton had been suspended from work the day before Cook was killed.