FERGUS FALLS, Minn. (AP) – A western Minnesota woman has died two weeks after her son allegedly attacked her with a machete in their rural Dalton home.
The Otter Tail County sheriff’s office says it learned of 68-year-old Barbara Howard’s death Sunday from Sanford Medical Center in Fargo, N.D.
Howard’s son, James Howard, could now face murder charges. He earlier was charged with attempted murder and assault in the April 23 attack.
County Attorney David Hauser says an autopsy is being performed. Hauser says depending on the cause of death, the charges could be upgraded to murder.
James Howard allegedly told paramedics he intended to kill his mother to end her suffering from cancer and diabetes. He’s in jail on $1 million bail. A judge has ordered a mental health evaluation.
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