Minnesota hospital guard suffered fatal blows while allegedly pinned down by patient on Christmas

A Minnesota hospital security guard suffered fatal blows to the head while pinned to the pavement by a patient who was fleeing a “medical hold” on Christmas Day, according to a criminal complaint filed Dec. 29.

Jonathan Chet Winch, 35, of St. Croix Falls, Wis., was charged in Chisago County District Court with second-degree murder in connection with the beating of 43-year-old Andrea Merrell at M Health Fairview Lakes Medical Center in Wyoming.

After putting up resistance, Winch was arrested by police outside the hospital and remains jailed in lieu of $2 million bail ahead of a Jan. 27 court appearance. Court records do not list an attorney for him. The court ordered a mental competency examination to be conducted while Winch remains in custody.

The complaint did not address a possible motive for the attack.

Merrell, of North Branch, attended Chisago Lakes High School in Lindstrom, where she formed a lifelong bond with two friends, Heather Miller and Pam Heaton. They said Monday they were devastated by Merrell’s death.

“We were supposed to be friends forever and that was cut short,” Heaton said. “I’m still shocked. I’m still in denial.”

The two friends emphasized that Merrell had a goofy personality and could quickly make friends with anyone. They said Merrell worked security at various locations for much of her adult life.

“She was very tough; she was strong. She liked to help people,” Miller said. “She was doing amazing, she was doing great things.”

An online fundraiser to benefit Merrell’s mother collected more than $800 in donations as of Monday evening.

“Andrea was a valued member of our security team,” Fairview Health Services said in a statement issued upon her death on Dec. 27. “Our hearts are with her loved ones and coworkers during this incredibly difficult time.”

According to the complaint:

About 5:25 p.m., police were alerted to Winch pushing his way past large magnetic doors and “leaving the emergency department contrary to a medical hold” put in place for a reason not specified in the court filing.

Winch, shirtless and in sweatpants, was attempting to get in the vehicle. The officer pulled his squad next to the security vehicle. Winch jumped onto the squad’s windshield.

“The officer repositioned his squad car to remove [Winch] from the ... squad,” then ordered him to the ground before employing a Taser in hopes of subduing him.

Winch advanced toward the officer while saying, “‘I didn’t mean to hurt her,’” the complaint read.

The officer and Winch fought for about five minutes before additional officers arrived and arrested Winch.

An ambulance took Merrell to Regions Hospital in St. Paul, where she died from severe head injuries inflicted by Winch.

Merrell, described as a “smaller-framed individual,” was on the pavement while being struck by the “larger-framed” Winch as he was on top of her.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the health care and social assistance fields experienced the highest counts and yearly incidence rates for workplace violence of any private industry sector in 2021 and 2022. Women make up about 80% of health care workers.

Last January, Minnesota hospitals were required to begin submitting annual action plans to the state Department of Health on how they would respond and prepare for acts of violence. Beginning this January, the Minnesota health commissioner must compile the information into a single annual report and submit it to members of the Legislature.