A Brooklyn family is contemplating legal action against Seagate Rehabilitation and Nursing Center following the tragic death of their 89-year-old matriarch, Nina Kravtsov. Kravtsov, a Holocaust survivor, was allegedly beaten to death by her 95-year-old roommate, Galina Smirnova, who is now facing charges of second-degree murder and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon.
The incident occurred at the nursing home in Coney Island, New York, where police responded on Sunday night to find Kravtsov unresponsive in her bed, covered in blood, with severe injuries to her face and head. According to a criminal complaint obtained by ABC News, nurses discovered Smirnova in the bathroom, washing blood from her hands. The medical examiner confirmed that Kravtsov died from blunt force trauma early Monday morning.
The alleged murder weapon, a blood-stained wheelchair foot pedal, was found on the floor. Smirnova was arraigned and is currently being held without bail at Elmhurst Hospital’s prison ward. She has not entered a plea.
Kravtsov’s daughter expressed her belief that her mother should not have been placed with Smirnova, who had a history of dementia and violence. The family blames the nursing home for housing them together solely because they both spoke Russian. Randy Zelin, the family’s attorney, stated, “It is my responsibility that justice is served for a woman that survived the Holocaust but could not survive a nursing home.”
The family is considering a lawsuit against the nursing home for its role in the tragic incident. The Brooklyn District Attorney’s office and Seagate Rehabilitation and Nursing Center have not yet commented on the case.
