Man Charged With Murder After Wyoming Hospital Security Guard Dies
BY MN CRIME STAFF
A man is charged with second-degree murder in connection with the death of a hospital security guard following an Assault at Fairview Lakes Hospital in Wyoming on Christmas Day.
Jonathan Chet Winch, 35, of St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin, is charged with second-degree murder without intent while committing a felony.
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Prosecutors say Winch caused the death of 43-year-old Andrea Jean Merrell while committing first-degree assault. The charge carries a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison.
According to the criminal complaint, an officer with the Wyoming Police Department was dispatched to the hospital just after 5:24 p.m. on December 25 after staff reported an adult male had left the emergency department against a medical hold. The man was later identified as Winch.
When the officer arrived in the parking lot, a hospital security vehicle was parked with its emergency lights activated. A hospital security guard was lying unconscious on the ground next to the vehicle. The officer observed Winch, described as a large adult male without a shirt and wearing dark sweatpants, attempting to get inside the security vehicle.
As the officer stopped near the vehicle, Winch jumped onto the windshield of the squad car. The officer repositioned the vehicle to remove him from the hood, exited the squad and ordered Winch to get on the ground. The officer deployed a Taser in an attempt to gain control, but Winch refused commands and continued advancing.
During the confrontation, Winch made multiple statements including, “I didn’t mean to hurt her,” according to the complaint. The officer and Winch struggled for approximately five minutes before additional officers arrived. With backup assistance, Winch was taken into custody.
Officers and first responders then focused on the injured security guard, identified as Andrea Jean Merrell. She was found with severe head trauma, agonal breathing and a very weak pulse. Merrell was transported by ambulance to Regions Hospital with life-threatening injuries.
Investigators later reviewed exterior security camera footage from the hospital. The video shows two people near a security vehicle in the parking lot, one smaller-framed and one larger-framed. The larger person, wearing dark pants and no shirt, appears to physically assault the smaller-framed person. The smaller person is seen lying on the pavement while the larger person is on top, appearing to strike her.
Merrell remained hospitalized for two days. On December 27, she died from her injuries. The Ramsey County Medical Examiner later ruled her death a homicide caused by traumatic head injuries due to physical assault.
PREVIOUSLY: Wyoming Hospital Security Officer Dies After Christmas Day Assault
Winch remains in custody with bail set at $2 million. A forensic navigator has been appointed to assess his competency to stand trial. His next court appearance is scheduled for late January 2026.
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