LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A suspect is under arrest following a death at a local addiction recovery center in Louisville, marking a somber development in what started as a routine Sunday evening. Louisville Metro Police detained 48-year-old Angela Hensley after they investigated the death of a woman at Praxis Treatment Facility, located in the Hazelwood neighborhood.
The incident, which transpired late Sunday night, has shocked the community surrounding the 4400 block of La Salle Avenue where the facility is based. Authorities were called to the scene around 10:20 p.m., where they found the victim unresponsive. Preliminary investigations incorporated viewing surveillance footage which captured a chilling sequence of events allegedly involving Hensley.
The arrest citation noted that camera footage showed Hensley entering the room of the victim, who, at that time, was seen standing. Mere minutes after Hensley’s departure, the victim was discovered on the floor. Additional video evidence suggested that Hensley reentered the room several times without alerting the facility staff of the alarming situation.
Following the discovery of the victim by the staff, Hensley purportedly confessed to the act, stating according to police records, “She said she wanted to die, so I killed her.” Hensley is claimed to have used a towel in her actions, an item that was identified in the surveillance video. Furthermore, she allegedly admitted to reentering the victim’s room to ensure the act was complete, reportedly saying she “finished killing her.”
Hensley’s alleged admission and the consequent preliminary medical findings indicating strangulation have led to her arrest on an attempted murder charge. Police, however, have pointed out that this charge might be elevated to homicide pending the final cause of death determination by the medical examiner.
The unsettling event raises numerous questions about security and observance practices within recovery facilities, which are supposed to provide a safe environment for individuals battling addiction. It is yet to be determined whether facility protocols were breached or if additional oversight could have prevented this tragedy.
As the investigation continues, the community and families connected to the Praxis Treatment Facility are left grappling with the aftermath of this heinous act. Officials are urging anyone with more information to come forward to assist in the thorough examination of this case, which has not only taken a life but also shaken the trust in systems meant to protect and heal.