The Toronto 2024 Homicide Victim List is available here

According to the Toronto Star, 73-year-old Eva Samonas has been convicted of manslaughter after failing to get medical help for her 96-year-old mother, Vasiliki Atanasovski, who spent three days lying on the floor of their East York home following a fall in January 2024.

Justice Jane Kelly ruled that Atanasovski’s prolonged immobility caused severe pressure sores that significantly contributed to her death. The judge found that Samonas’ failure to seek medical treatment and provide proper care played a substantial role in the elderly woman’s death. Samonas was also found guilty of criminal negligence causing death and failing to provide the necessities of life.

Court heard that paramedics arrived at the Broadview Avenue home shortly after noon on Jan. 6, 2024, after Samonas called 911. Paramedic Tim Driver testified that responders had to enter through a rear sliding door because the front entrance was reportedly unusable due to structural problems. Inside, they encountered a narrow pathway through heavy clutter, garbage, and debris. Driver described an overwhelming smell of ammonia, rotting food, urine, and feces throughout the home.

Atanasovski was found naked on the floor beside a couch, unable to properly respond or track the paramedics with her eyes. Driver testified that she appeared gravely ill and was making sounds indicating pain. He also described severe tissue breakdown on her lower back and tailbone area, injuries that were later documented in court photographs.

Because of the cramped and hazardous conditions inside the home, firefighters were called to help move the woman out of the residence on a tarp before she was transported to Michael Garron Hospital, where she died the next day.

Paramedics testified they became concerned about possible elder abuse due to the woman’s condition and the state of the home. One paramedic told the court that Samonas appeared calm and possibly unaware of how critically ill her mother was.

Outside court, Samonas said she was shocked by the verdict and insisted she did the best she could while caring for her mother, who suffered from dementia and heart problems. The judge acknowledged that Samonas had largely been caring for her mother alone with little outside support. Sentencing is expected later this year.