Nursing Home Where 93-Year-Old Died Owes $100K In Back Taxes

WINDSOR LOCKS, CT — Margaret “Peggy” Healey, a 93-year-old retired teacher and longtime Waterbury resident, has been identified as the nursing home resident whose death remains under investigation after she was found outside a Windsor Locks care facility during extreme cold.

Healey died Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026, after being located outdoors at Bickford Health Care Center in the early morning hours. Windsor Locks police have said the case remains active and that detectives are continuing to gather evidence and conduct interviews.

What Police Have Said About The Timeline

During a press conference, Lt. Paul Cherniack of the Windsor Locks Police Department outlined key points in the timeline.

Police said staff discovered around 4:45 a.m. that Healey was missing from her bed. Staff searched inside the facility before expanding the search outside.

She was later found in the snow outside the building. “Staff claimed she had a pulse,” Cherniack said, adding that warming efforts were initiated after she was located.

Police confirmed that 911 was not called until 6:23 a.m. Healey was pronounced dead at 6:46 a.m. by paramedics.

Alarm Device, Surveillance And State Review

Cherniack said Healey had Alzheimer’s disease and dementia and was known to wander. She was wearing a body alarm device intended to alert staff if she exited the building without authorization.

Police have taken custody of that device and are reviewing whether it functioned properly and whether any electronic logs or database records show it activated.

Detectives are also seeking surveillance footage from inside the facility and surrounding areas to help establish a more precise timeline. Numerous staff interviews are ongoing, and written statements are being reviewed.

Cherniack emphasized that the department is in a fact-finding phase and is not assigning blame.

The Connecticut Department of Public Health has been notified and is involved in reviewing the matter. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will determine the official cause of death.

Bickford Health Care issued its first public statement since Healey’s death.

“We are currently working with state and local authorities to assist them in completing a thorough investigation of this tragedy and comply with additional safeguards as needed,” the company said.

A special meeting has been scheduled for next Monday evening with family members, state lawmakers and a long-term care ombudsman to address complaints related to the incident.

Property Listed For Tax Sale

Separately, records show the owner of the nursing home property owes Windsor Locks more than $100,000 in overdue municipal taxes.

The Bickford Health Care Center property at 14 Main St., along with a separate house lot owned by the same company, Newport Bickford Inc., is listed on the Connecticut Tax Sales website for public auction on April 23.

Municipal taxes due through Jan. 31 total $105,292.96, according to the levy and sale notice. The auction is scheduled to proceed unless the delinquent taxes are paid in full.

A Life Of Teaching And Service

Margaret Healey was born Jan. 13, 1933, in Waterbury, the daughter of the late John and Bernice (Mahoney) Healey. A graduate of Waterbury Catholic High School, she later earned a master’s degree in French from Laval University in Quebec City, according to an obituary from Casey’s Eastside Memorial Funeral Home.

She spent decades teaching French at Catholic schools in New York, Rhode Island, and Connecticut, including Waterbury Catholic High School, Notre Dame Academy, and Sacred Heart High School. Family members said she maintained a lifelong love of language, travel, and her Irish heritage.

Outside the classroom, Healey bred and showed Yorkshire Terriers and Maltese for more than 30 years and was active in several kennel clubs. She is survived by her sisters and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services are scheduled for Feb. 17 in Waterbury.

Police have said additional information may be released as the investigation continues.