Utah Nurse Accused of Murdering Friend for Life Insurance
A Santaquin registered nurse, Meggan Randall Sundwall, 47, has been arrested and charged with aggravated murder and obstruction of justice. The charges stem from the death of her friend, Kacee Lyn Terry, 38, who authorities allege Sundwall fatally poisoned with insulin to obtain life insurance proceeds.
Years-Long Scheme Uncovered
Over nearly five years, Sundwall, a registered nurse, allegedly attempted to convince Terry to end her life by taking a fatal dose of insulin. According to court documents, Terry believed she had cancer, but medical records indicated she was healthy. The alleged motive was a rumored $1.5 million life insurance policy held by Terry.
Investigators found over 28,000 text messages between Sundwall and Terry over the five-year period. Early messages reportedly show Sundwall’s belief that Terry was very sick and offering to help her die.
The Fatal Incident
On August 12, Lone Peak police and firefighters responded to a medical emergency at Terry’s Highland home. Upon arrival, they found Terry unresponsive. Her uncle reported finding her struggling to breathe in her bedroom with Sundwall present. Sundwall claimed Terry had a “do not resuscitate” order, but medical staff could not locate any such order.
On the scene, officers found a diabetic needle, even though Terry was not diabetic. Terry was transported to a Lehi hospital, where doctors determined her blood sugar level was dangerously low. Terry never regained consciousness and was declared brain dead, dying a few days later on August 15.
The Office of the Medical Examiner determined Terry’s cause of death to be an overdose of promethazine, probable exogenous insulin, and other drugs. A forensic pathologist confirmed that such a low blood sugar level could only be caused by administered insulin.
Deception and Manipulation
Prior to the discovery of Terry’s condition, Sundwall sent a text message: “Do you want to take some promethazine when I get there so that you are asleep when this is happening?” The arrest report notes that despite being a nurse, Sundwall did not call for medical assistance for several hours. Terry’s family told detectives that Sundwall had been trying to kill Terry with insulin for years, according to police.
In the months following Terry’s death, Sundwall searched for the life insurance policy and deleted over 900 texts from her phone.
No Cancer and No Health Issues
Terry’s primary care physician confirmed that she never had cancer. An autopsy revealed no cancer or other health problems, contradicting Terry’s belief that she was terminally ill.
Authorities are continuing their investigation into the case.
