Beaverton Woman Kills Neighbor, Is Sentenced To Life In Prison

BEAVERTON, OR – In December 2016, Maria Lucille Meisner helped kill her neighbor, 74-year-old Kathryn Breen. This week she stood before a judge, admitted what she did, and found out that she would spend the rest of her life in prison.

Prosecutors said that Meisner had been approached by Breen's caretaker, Celia Schwab who had removed what they said was a "significant amount of money from Breen's accounts."

Together Meisner and Breen burned Breen alive.

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While Breen was rushed to Legacy Emanuel Medical Center where they have a burn unit, she died about one month later.

"It was a gruesome betrayal of trust for the defendants to burn an elderly woman alive," Washington County Deputy District Attorney Mark Richman, who helped prosecute the case, said.

"This fact was made worse in that the victim lingered with serious burns for a month before she died. We appreciate that Ms. Meisner has stepped forward to take responsibility for her actions."

Schwab, who had been charged with murder along with Meisner, died of natural causes in Sept, 2017.

Photo via Washington County Sheriff's Office.