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Phoenix caregiver charged with murder for patient’s death, police say

Detectives arrested Valer Catuna, 52, on second-degree murder charges.

PHOENIX — Editor's note: A grand jury indicted Valer Catuna, who is accused of second-degree murder and vulnerable adult abuse, it was announced on March 25.

The owner of a Phoenix adult care facility is facing a murder charge for the death of a patient last year, police announced Wednesday.

Valer Catuna, 52, is facing a second-degree murder charge after the death at the Artemis Adult Care Home near 35th and Grovers avenues on Oct. 21.

Police responded to the Phoenix facility and found a patient, identified by the department as 53-year-old William Griswold, dead.

Investigators initially found no signs of foul play and originally believed Griswold died from a medical emergency. Griswold had a history of health issues and was completely dependent on the facility for his daily needs and care.

But an autopsy in the following months ruled his death as a homicide and the cause of death as blunt force injuries.

According to a court document, another resident of the home saw Catuna "in the heat of an argument, push the victim onto his bed and repeatedly strike his left side with a closed fist."

The court document said the "assault only concluded when a vendor arrived at the front door to the care facility."

The witness described Griswold as laying in his bed all day "listless, cold to the touch but complaining about being hot." Griswold also refused to eat and complained of pain all over his body, the court document said. 

Griswold died between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Oct. 21. The alleged assault took place that morning, according to the court document.

The witness told police what they saw and Catuna allegedly admitted to having a "physical altercation" with the victim, but said it only consisted of "him pushing the victim onto his bed and possibly hitting him one to three times."

Neighbors in the area said the news shocked them.

“It’s just unfortunate, nothing you really suspect in your neighborhood,” said Daniel Westfell, who lives across the street from the facility. “It makes you wonder how these places are regulated.”

Artemis has been cited multiple times in the past, including not reporting the death of Griswold. The center was ordered to pay a $1,000 fine in November 2020 for not keeping updated personnel records.

After asking the Arizona Department of Health Services if this center will keep its current license to operate that doesn’t expire until next February, a spokesperson said, “What has been alleged is shocking, and ADHS is evaluating potential next steps from a licensing standpoint with the safety of vulnerable adults our top priority.”

AZDHS said the facility is licensed for up to 10 beds.

Catuna was ordered to post a $600,000 bond and is set to appear in court next on March 4.

Police said Adult Protective Services and the Arizona Department of Health Services have been notified to care for the remaining residents.

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