A Montgomery County man is facing charges of third-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter in connection with the death of his 52-year-old brother who had Down Syndrome.
Harry Gramlich, 71, of Abington, has been charged with third-degree murder, neglect of a care-dependent person and involuntary manslaughter, in connection with the October 2020 death of Timothy Gramlich.
According to a release from the district attorney’s office, Abington Township Police were dispatched to the 200 block of Edge Hill Road at 2:27 p.m. on Oct. 18, 2020, for a report of a deceased person. Upon arrival, police were met by Harry Gramlich, who said that his brother was deceased in a second-floor bedroom, the report states. Gramlich identified himself as the victim’s sole caregiver, police said.
Upstairs, police located the body of Timothy Gramlich, which was naked and lying on a soiled mattress, the report states. Investigators said the mattress and bedroom floor appeared to be stained with bodily fluids and feces, and there was a profound odor of urine and feces emanating from the room.
The report states that the victim’s body was unclean and emaciated. Gramlich told police that his brother had Down Syndrome and was last seen alive on Oct. 17, 2020, when Gramlich brought the victim food, the report states.
An autopsy was performed on Jan. 26, which listed the cause of death as urosepsis and the manner of death as “undetermined.” The examination suggested that Timothy Gramlich had been neglected and that, had he undergone routine medical evaluations and care, his death could have been prevented, the report states.
The victim only weighed 76 pounds at the time of his death, the autopsy showed.
“The unsanitary conditions and neglect of Timothy Gramlich, a care-dependent person, demonstrated Harry Gramlich’s willful and wanton disregard of an ongoing, unjustified risk that contributed to and resulted in Timothy Gramlich’s death,” reads the release from the district attorney’s office.
Court records indicate charges were filed against Gramlich on Wednesday. He was later arraigned by Magisterial District Judge James Gallagher, who set bail at $100,000 unsecured.
Gramlich’s next court appearance is a preliminary hearing on April 28 at 2:15 p.m. in front of Judge Gallagher.
All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using court records and the affidavit of probable cause.
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