HIGHLAND, Utah – A nurse from Highland, Utah, has been taken into custody and faces charges of aggravated murder in connection with the death of her friend, Kacee Lyn Terry.
Authorities allege that Meggan Randall Sundwall, 47, administered a lethal dose of insulin to Terry, 38, with the intention of collecting on a life insurance policy. According to police, Sundwall believed she was the beneficiary of a $1.5 million policy held by Terry.
The incident began in August when Terry’s uncle discovered her unresponsive and struggling to breathe at a home. According to initial reports, the uncle alerted 911, stating Terry had “major, major health issues.” Sundwall, who admitted to being alone with Terry that day, indicated that Terry had been suffering for “several hours.”
Police documents reveal that Sundwall texted Terry earlier that day, inquiring if she wanted to take promethazine to sleep. Terry was not diabetic, but a diabetic needle was found at the scene. When Terry was taken to the hospital, her blood sugar level was dangerously low, at 14. A blood sugar level of 40 is considered life-threatening.
Terry’s sister told the hospital staff that Terry was diagnosed with leukemia several years before, although the sister had moved Terry into her grandfather’s house because Terry was complaining about Sundwall bringing insulin home and trying to talk Terry into treatments to help end her suffering. Following Terry’s death, the primary care doctor informed the family that Terry had never had cancer, confirming the sister’s concerns. Moreover, the doctor stated that Sundwall was not Terry’s power of attorney and that no do-not-resuscitate order was found for Terry.
Investigators found over 28,000 text messages between Sundwall and Terry dating back to December 2019. These messages, authorities noted, “detail different ways Meggan would kill herself if she was (the victim) and of Meggan offering to ‘help’ (her) die.” Other texts reportedly discussed Sundwall’s financial difficulties and how Terry’s life insurance money could be a solution.
The Office of the Medical Examiner confirmed Terry’s cause of death as an overdose of promethazine and exogenous insulin.
Sundwall was booked into the Utah County Jail for aggravated murder and obstruction of justice.
