"Act Of Mercy" In Hospice Ward Leaves Two Dead

"ALLENTOWN, PA — Lehigh County District Attorney Jim Martin said an 86-year-old man shot and killed his wife then turned the gun on himself Tuesday afternoon in the hospice ward of Lehigh Valley Hospital at 17th and Chew streets.

"Mildred Osman, 83, was found dead in her bed, Martin said. Elwood Osman was also found dead in the room. Mildred Osman was in hospice care. No one else was in the room, according to Martin.

"Elwood Osman was distraught, according to his son, Thomas Osman, and wanted to end his wife's suffering. Thomas said mother suffered from spinal stenosis, macular degeneration, and recently had a stroke.

"`He unfortunately only saw one solution left anymore,` Thomas said. `And we believe he got a handgun and did what he did.`

"Thomas Osman said his father killed his mother and himself as an act of mercy.

"`This was a loving couple,` he said. `I am upset, of course, but all I have is love and respect for my father and my mother.`

"Martin said at 1:03 p.m. three hospital staff on the fourth floor heard a gunshot coming from one of the hospice rooms. He said the incident was contained to the one patient room.

"`I don't have any more detail I am prepared to release,` Martin said about 2 p.m. at the hospital complex. `There were no eyewitnesses to this event.`"

From The Morning Call...