MEMPHIS, Tenn. — According to Memphis Police Department, on Tuesday, March 22, the owner and active caregiver of a private care home was arrested and indicted as the second suspect in the murder of 60-year-old patient, Cynthia Garrison, who reportedly died of abuse and neglect.
Brenda Hightower, 75, was booked at Shelby County Jail East Women’s facility, where she is being held without bond.
Caregiver Anthony Freeman, 55, who is the other suspect in the abuse and murder of Garrison, was arrested in February of 2021, and he has remained in custody since his arrest with a bond of $2 million.
MPD began the investigation of Hightower’s care home in 2021. Special agents from Medicaid Fraud Control Division and Tennessee Bureau of Investigation joined MPD’S investigation on March 4, 2021 after Freeman's arrest was made.
On March 17, 2022, Hightower was indicted on charges of first-degree murder, aggravated neglect of a vulnerable or elderly adult, vulnerable adult abuse, and financial exploitation of an elderly or vulnerable person.
Freeman was charged with first degree murder, aggravated neglect of a vulnerable or elderly adult, vulnerable adult abuse, and tampering with evidence.
