HIGHLAND, Utah – A nurse has been arrested and charged with the alleged poisoning and murder of her friend and former roommate in an attempt to claim a life insurance payout. Meggan Randall Sundwall, 47, stands accused of administering a fatal dose of insulin to Kacee Lyn Terry, 38, according to law enforcement reports.
Authorities believe that Sundwall, a registered nurse, was motivated by a suspected $1.5 million life insurance policy allegedly held by Terry. This information was detailed in a police booking affidavit, as reported by KUTV.
The investigation began in August when Terry’s uncle discovered her unresponsive and struggling to breathe at her home. He alerted emergency services, and according to KSL, he described Terry’s condition to the 911 operator as indicative of “major, major health issues,” adding, “it sounds like she’s drowning.”
Sundwall, who admitted to being with Terry throughout the day, informed Terry’s uncle that his niece had been suffering for “several hours,” according to KUTV. Police documents reveal that earlier that morning, Sundwall had sent Terry a text message that read, “Do you want to take some promethazine when I get there so that you are asleep when this is happening?”
A diabetic needle was discovered at the residence, although Terry was not diabetic. Terry’s sister told hospital staff at the time that Terry had been diagnosed with leukemia several years prior. However, subsequent findings contradicted this initial report.
According to a search warrant obtained by authorities, Terry’s sister had moved her out of their shared apartment due to concerns. The warrant stated that “Kacee [was] complaining about Meggan bringing insulin home and trying to talk Kacee into treatments to help end her suffering.”
Further investigation uncovered conflicting information regarding Terry’s health. Terry’s primary care physician informed her family that she had never been diagnosed with cancer, and an autopsy revealed no underlying health issues. KSL reported that the physician also stated Sundwall was not her power of attorney.
Authorities have access to over 28,000 text messages exchanged between Sundwall and Terry dating back to December 2019. The messages reportedly contained “detailing different ways Meggan would kill herself if she was (the victim) and of Meggan offering to ‘help’ (her) die,” according to police.
Other messages detailed Sundwall’s financial difficulties and how she planned to resolve them by obtaining a life insurance payout from Terry, law enforcement officials have stated. These texts provided crucial evidence in the case.
Sundwall was booked into Utah County Jail on Thursday, facing charges of aggravated murder and obstruction of justice.
The Office of the Medical Examiner has confirmed Terry’s cause of death as an overdose of promethazine, possible exogenous insulin and other unspecified drugs. The investigation is ongoing.
