Terminal Cancer Patient Murdered For Her Painkillers: Report

RABBIT HASH, KY — Authorities say a terminal lung cancer in Kentucky was murdered by three people — including her cousin — over her painkillers.

Denita Satchwell, 58, was last seen at her Covington, Kentucky, home June 9 and was reported missing two days later and a Golden Alert was issued.

Satchwell had stage 4 cancer, friend Lesa Sinclair told WCPO-TV. When she disappeared, Satchwell had been feeling "lonely and depressed," police said in a release at the time. Her daughter Amy Collins Brewer knew something was wrong and suspected foul play.

She noted in a Facebook comment that Satchwell doesn't drive after dark — or much at all — due to her failing health. Furthermore, her oxygen tank and dog had been left behind, her back door was left unlocked, her lamps had been knocked over and garbage was inside her home.

Satchwell was found dead in a wooded area Friday near Rabbit Hash, a small community located on the Ohio River. Court documents allege she was killed for her pain medication. Her body was placed in the trunk of a car, driven to a wooded area and then dumped, The Cincinnati Enquirer reported Monday.

"As a...cancer patient Satchwell was frail and in poor health, as well as having a large amount of narcotic painkillers on scene, which made her an easy target for the robbery," court records alleged, according to the newspaper.

Three people — including a juvenile and Satchwell's cousin — have been charged in her death: Kenneth Jones, 38; Braedon Reaves, 18; and an unidentified youth. Each faces charges including murder.

Brewer told WKRC-TV that Jones had relapsed and recently begged Satchwell for her medicine.

“It is one of the most despicable crimes I have seen in my 20 plus years,” Covington Lt. Col. Brian Steffen told PEOPLE Magazine.

He said it could take three weeks to determine exactly how Satchwell was killed and declined to comment on the "particulars" of the investigation.

A GoFundMe campaign has been created to raise money for a proper burial. The family wants to have services at Garnett-New Mc Donald Funeral Home in Warsaw.

The campaign, verified by Patch, has raised more than $2,400 over three days.

Photo credit: GoFundMe