A hospital patient allegedly beat a Minnesota security guard to death while trying to to escape on Christmas Day.
Jonathan Winch, 35, of Wisconsin, was arrested after allegedly beating Andrea Merrell, 43, outside M Health Fairview Lakes Hospital in Wyoming while trying to flee the emergency department, court records obtained by KARE 11 News show.
Authorities arrived on the scene to discover Merrell injured and unresponsive in the parking lot as Winch tried to break into her security vehicle.
When police confronted him, he allegedly struggled with an officer for several minutes before declaring, 'I didn't mean to hurt her,' according to court records.
Two days after being rushed to the hospital, Merrell died from injuries sustained during the assault. The Ramsey County Medical Examiner cited traumatic head trauma as the cause of death.
Winch, who was arrested and charged with second-degree murder, was reportedly required to undergo a mental competency assessment while in custody.
He remains jailed on $2 million bail as of Wednesday evening, and court records indicate he is not yet represented by an attorney.
'She was the most kind-hearted soul,' Merrell's best friends told KARE News. 'She was supposed to be our friend for her life, and that was taken away from us.'
The incident began early Thursday evening when police were alerted shortly before 5:30pm about Winch trying to break through the hospital's large magnetic doors, according to court documents obtained by the Star Tribune.
He was trying to leave the emergency department in violation of a medical hold, though court records do not specify the reason for the hold.
An officer arrived to find a hospital security vehicle with its lights blinking and Merrell lying unconscious on the pavement nearby.
Winch, allegedly still at the scene, was reportedly wearing only sweatpants as he tried to break into Merrell's vehicle.
According to court documents, the officer pulled his squad car alongside the security vehicle, seemingly scaring Winch, who then jumped out onto the windshield of the officer's car.
The officer commanded Winch to get on the ground multiple times, but he allegedly refused, prompting the cop to deploy a Taser in an attempt to subdue him.
Over the next five minutes, Winch allegedly physically wrestled with the officer while stating he 'didn't mean to hurt' Merrell until backup arrived to intervene.
Winch was taken into custody while emergency responders transported Merrell to Regions Hospital in St. Paul, where she later died from the severe head trauma inflicted during the violent attack.
Police later reviewed security footage obtained by the hospital, which allegedly captured Winch and Merrell in the midst of a 'physical struggle.'
The security guard, described as 'smaller-framed,' was pinned to the pavement and repeatedly struck by the 'larger-framed' Winch as he remained on top of her, according to documents obtained by the Star Tribune.
'I think most people knew her because she'd sit down and have conversations with everybody there and just make them feel safe and welcome,' Pam Heaton, one of Merrell's closest friends,' told KARE 11 News.
Another best friend, Heather Miller, said: 'Anybody she came in contact with instantly loved her because she was just that kind of person.'
'At her work at Fairview, she would walk around, she talked to everybody, all the employees there,' she added.
Merrell served as a reserve police officer with both the White Bear Police Department and fire department, according to the department in a Facebook post.
'We are saddened to hear of this terrible news,' the caption read. 'Our thoughts and prayers go out to her family, friends, and all who have served with her.'
M Health Fairview also released a statement following Merrell's death, which read: 'Andrea was a valued member of our security team and our hearts are with her loved ones and coworkers during this incredibly difficult time.'
'We are focused on supporting our teams and ensuring they have the resources they need,' they added.
Winch is expected back in court on January 27.
Healthcare and social assistance saw the highest rates of workplace violence among private industries in 2021 and 2022, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, with women making up roughly 80 percent of the workforce.
