Care provider is arrested after police investigation of suspicious senior death

By Chantal Lamers

Following a two-month police investigation, a Willow Glen woman was arrested by San Jose police on suspicion of second-degree murder and elder abuse March 15.

According to police, 45-year-old care provider Jody Anne Jeshurin is responsible for the death of her patient, 82-year-old Marie Fleck, a Rose Garden resident. Jeshurin was arrested by San Jose police and booked into the Santa Clara County Jail. She is scheduled to enter a plea on March 24.

Jeshurin, employed by Cleo's Care, lived with the victim while providing weekday care. But, on Jan. 24, Jeshurin called weekend care provider Janice Ford. She said Fleck had collapsed and asked Ford to assist her. Car trouble delayed Ford's arrival until later that evening. When Ford arrived, Fleck wasn't breathing, and the care providers called 911.

When police and San Jose firefighters arrived at Fleck's Emory Street home, Fleck lay on the floor dead. Jeshurin reported that Fleck had fallen early that morning.

San Jose Police Sergeant Steve Dixon said an investigation followed Fleck's death, after an autopsy revealed the victim had suspicious internal injuries that didn't seem to coincide with a fall.

According to a report filed by the Santa Clara County Medical Examiner, the victim had several broken ribs, bruises and internal organ damage, indicating abuse had occurred while she was under Jeshurin's care. Jeshurin was arrested following the coroner's report and was issued a no-bail warrant.

Fleck, a retired teacher, had dementia, and was unable to care for herself.

Anyone with information may contact Homicide investigators, Craig Johnson or Pete Ramirez, at 277.5283. Anonymous calls can be reported to San Jose Crime Stoppers Program at 947.7867.

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