Death of 83-year-old ruled homicide

Published 11:46 am Wednesday, November 25, 2009

The death of an 83-year-old woman in August has been ruled a homicide, Suffolk Police announced Wednesday.

Elizabeth Newby was attending the senior luau at the Suffolk National Guard Armory on Aug. 12 when another attendee, a 58-year-old female, pushed her down when she believed Newby was cutting in line for entry to the event. Newby and another senior, age 89, fell down. Newby suffered a broken hip.

Newby was transported to Sentara Obici Hospital, where she was admitted for treatment of the injury. She died on Aug. 26. In an autopsy report, the medical examiner ruled Newby’s death a homicide because of complications from the injury.

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City spokeswoman Debbie George said the complications followed surgery that attempted to repair the fracture. The women were in a group of people from different buses that were merging into a single-file line for entry into the event. The other senior who fell was treated and released at Sentara Obici Hospital, George added.

The offender’s name has not been released because she has not yet been charged, George said.

Police have conducted an investigation, and the case has been forwarded to the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office for review for possible charges.