Emily Gilbert, 73, of Fort Lauderdale died on March 4, 1985, from a gunshot wound to the head. Emily suffered from Alzheimer’s disease and osteoporosis; her condition had reportedly deteriorated to the point of severe pain and confusion, and she often expressed a wish to end her suffering. She and her husband Roswell Gilbert had been married 51 years and lived together in a condominium in Fort Lauderdale.

Faced with her repeated pleas for help and feeling unable to relieve her suffering, he retrieved a gun, loaded a single bullet and shot her in the head. When she was still alive he fired a second shot. Roswell was arrested and charged with premeditated murder; at trial the defense argued the act was meant to end Emily’s suffering, but he was convicted of first-degree murder and given life with a mandatory minimum of 25 years.

If anyone knew Emily or the Gilberts, or has information about their final months together, please share what is known.