Staff at Haverhill’s Oxford Rehabilitation and Health Care Center “acted quickly and appropriately” in the wake of an alleged Saturday assault, the nursing home’s parent company tells WHAV in a statement.
As Haverhill and State Police continue to investigate the circumstances that led to the death of his 76-year-old roommate Robert Boucher, Athena Health Care Systems of Farmington, Conn., said staff at the 120-bed nursing home followed protocol in the wake of the incident that took place sometime before 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 5.
“Based on our initial internal investigation, we believe our staff acted quickly and appropriately in the matter. We are unable to comment further or provide additional details. The Oxford’s heart goes out to the families of those involved in Saturday’s incident,” Athena’s Director of Marketing and Communications Tim Brown said.
Support services are being made available to staff and residents, Brown said.
Haverhill Police initially were dispatched The Oxford, 689 Main St., for a report of an “assaultive patient.” If confirmed, it is Haverhill’s first reported murder of 2019.
Jose Veguilla, Boucher’s roommate, was arrested and taken to Holy Family Hospital where he is being evaluated, the Essex County District Attorney’s office said. He is expected to be arraigned Monday either at the hospital or Haverhill District Court.