Resident Killed in NE Group Home

A woman living in a District group home for the mentally disabled died there yesterday, and authorities said she was the victim of a homicide.

At least two other people have been slain since 2001 at group homes in the District for people with mental or psychological challenges.

D.C. Council member Muriel Bowser (D-Ward 4) said police were called about 4 p.m. yesterday to the home in the 5400 block of Blair Road NE.

Authorities said a woman they described as middle-aged was found unconscious.

No cause of death was given.

Inspector Rodney Parks, who heads the police homicide unit, said last night that the case had been closed.

Further details were not immediately available.

Bowser said the home is run by a contractor.

She said she knew of no complaints about its operation.

In 2001, Michael Hall, a 52-year-old resident of a group home for the mentally ill in the 2200 block of Naylor Road SE, died there.

Police said he had been attacked with a fire extinguisher in a fight over cookies.

A 41-year-old resident of the home, identified as Paul Banks, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder in the death.

In another incident, Michael Farrar, a 60-year-old District man, died in 2002 after being found unconscious in a group home for the mentally ill in the 400 block of U Street NW.

Authorities said he was killed by blunt force trauma.