Family Members Charged with Manslaughter in Colorado 'Assisted Suicide' Death

Prosecutors say 91-year-old Mildred 'Milsy' Roller was asphyxiated, not assisted in suicide, by relatives who stood to inherit her estate.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 3:21pm

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Mildred 'Milsy' Roller, 91, died on February 18, 2024 by asphyxiation, not assisted suicide, according to police in Louisville, Colorado. Her daughter Kim Roller and son-in-law David Norton have been charged with manslaughter for allegedly purchasing equipment and coaching Milsy to kill herself, despite her not having a terminal illness. Prosecutors say the family stood to inherit over $650,000 from Milsy's estate.

Why it matters

This case highlights the dangers of so-called 'assisted suicide' laws, which can be exploited by unscrupulous family members to hasten the deaths of elderly relatives for financial gain. While euthanasia is legal in Colorado, this incident suggests the need for stronger safeguards to prevent coercion and ensure true consent from terminally ill patients.

The details

According to the indictment, Kim Roller bought a nitrogen tank three days before Milsy's death, and David Norton ordered a pressure flow regulator from Amazon to help Milsy install the equipment. Prosecutors say there had been a failed suicide attempt earlier that month. Police also discovered that Kim Roller had attended a Final Exit Network workshop weeks before Milsy's death, where she allegedly learned how to properly assist a suicide.

  • Milsy Roller died on February 18, 2024.
  • Kim Roller bought a nitrogen tank three days before Milsy's death.
  • David Norton ordered a pressure flow regulator from Amazon to help Milsy install the equipment.
  • There had been a failed suicide attempt earlier that month.
  • Kim Roller attended a Final Exit Network workshop weeks before Milsy's death.

The players

Mildred 'Milsy' Roller

A 91-year-old resident of The Lodge at Balfour assisted living facility in Boulder County, Colorado who died by asphyxiation.

Kim Roller

Milsy Roller's daughter who has been charged with manslaughter for allegedly purchasing equipment and coaching her mother to kill herself.

David Norton

Kim Roller's brother-in-law who has also been charged with manslaughter for allegedly helping Milsy install the equipment used in her death.

Final Exit Network (FEN)

A group that provides instructions to enable people to die by suicide, which prosecutors allege was involved in coaching Kim Roller and David Norton on how to assist Milsy Roller's death.

Michael Dougher

The Boulder District Attorney who is prosecuting the case and said "This is definitely about fighting for justice. And she doesn't have a voice in this process."

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What they’re saying

“This is definitely about fighting for justice. And she doesn't have a voice in this process.”

— Michael Dougher, Boulder District Attorney

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Kim Roller and David Norton out on bail.

The takeaway

This tragic case highlights the need for stronger safeguards around assisted suicide laws to prevent exploitation and ensure true consent from terminally ill patients. It also raises concerns about the role of groups like the Final Exit Network in providing instructions that can enable family members to unlawfully hasten the deaths of elderly relatives.