A Wisconsin man has been arrested for allegedly fatally beating a female security guard on Christmas day inside a Minnesota hospital where he was a patient.
Jonathan Chet Winch has been charged with second-degree murder following the deadly incident.
Winch, 35, was leaving the emergency department of M Health Fairview Lakes Hospital in Wyoming, Minnesota, on Thursday, December 25, after receiving medical treatment, according to the criminal complaint obtained by Us Weekly. He still had an active medical hold and was not yet authorized to leave. So, when he headed for the exit, a security guard went to stop him, igniting a physical altercation.
Security footage captured Winch beating on the security guard. In the footage, he appeared to swing at her and hit her, according to the criminal complaint.
The security guard, who has since been identified as Andrea Merrell, was taken to a different hospital following the fight and died at the age of 43 from her injuries just two days later.
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The Ramsey County medical examiner performed Merrell’s autopsy, and it was concluded that her cause of death was traumatic head injuries due to physical assault.
Winch was taken into custody following the deadly altercation and he is being held on a $2 million bond, according to online jail records viewed by Us Weekly. His mugshot was not available as of time of publication.
If he is convicted of the crime, Winch could potentially face up to 40 years in prison. He is next scheduled to appear in court on January 27, 2026.
It’s not currently clear if Winch has entered a plea or obtained legal representation. Winch was attempting to steal a hospital emergency vehicle when police arrived at the scene, according to Fox 9. He then jumped on the squad car windshield, and an officer attempted to fight him off for about five minutes. The officer used a taser on Winch and was able to keep the suspect at the scene until backup arrived.
As Winch struggled with the arresting officer, he allegedly said, “I didn’t mean to hurt her.” Following Merrell’s death, Fox 9 spoke to one of her friends and he revealed he was with her shortly before she passed away.
“To see Andrea in that condition and know the gravity of it isn’t easy for anybody. Especially when you’re looking at somebody that’s alive, and they’re not coming back,” David Velasquez told the outlet. “She was a positive light for a lot of people, and that light for all of those people is a lot dimmer today.”
M Health Fairview also issued a statement about Merrell’s tragic killing.
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“Andrea was a valued member of our security team. Our hearts are with her loved ones and coworkers during this incredibly difficult time. We are focused on supporting our teams and ensuring that they have the resources they need,” the hospital said in a statement.
The statement continued, “We continue to work with law enforcement as they investigate. Questions regarding the investigation should be directed to the Wyoming Police Department.”
The Wyoming Police Department confirmed to Us Weekly that the investigation into Merrell’s death is still ongoing.