Dorothy Matajke

Case record: Dorothy Matajke

Background

Dorothy Matajke was a resident of Nevada and Iowa before being in Little Rock, Arkansas. She began working as a nurse's aide and professional companion for the elderly and ailing in the 1970s. She later worked as a live-in nurse for senior citizens.

In 1973, Matajke was convicted of fraud and sentenced to five years in prison. She escaped in February 1974 and remained at large until 1980, when she was recaptured and returned to finish out her sentence. Despite the prison break, she won parole in 1983, serving less than the original five years. After release, Matajke moved to Little Rock and continued her work as a live-in nurse.

The offence

Matajke moved in with Paul Kinsey, 72, and his wife Opal, 71, on March 24, 1985.

Opal Kinsey died on April 5, 1985. The cause was listed as a recently-discovered cancer. After Opal's death, Paul Kinsey's health began deteriorating rapidly, and relatives attributed his decline to grief and loneliness.

On September 9, 1986, Matajke acquired a new client, elderly Marion Doyle. Doyle survived nine days of nursing by Matajke. Her death was not ascribed to cancer. A police report suggested Doyle had committed suicide.

A routine inventory made by the executor of Doyle's estate discovered several checks made out to Dorothy Matajke, totaling almost $4,000. Doyle's signature was curious, and her body was exhumed for reexamination. Tissue samples showed sufficient drugs to cause a fatal overdose.

Paul Kinsey refused to eat or take his medication, telling relatives that each meal or dose prepared by his “companion” left him deathly ill. Kinsey ordered Matajke out of his house on October 28, and three days later he was hospitalized in critical condition.

Matajke bullied her way past relatives and doctors to visit Kinsey in the emergency room, and she remained by his side when detectives arrived to arrest her.

Opal Kinsey's body was exhumed on December 5, with the results of laboratory tests kept secret pending disposition of the standing charges.

After Paul Kinsey died, on February 10, 1987, assault charges were replaced with another count of first-degree murder.

Investigation

A police report suggested Marion Doyle had committed suicide by drug overdose. After Doyle's body was exhumed for reexamination, tissue samples showed sufficient drugs to cause a fatal overdose.

A public statement included verbatim remarks by police and officials about arsenic poisoning symptoms:

• Sgt. John Martin of the police homicide division said at a Monday news conference: “Small amounts (of arsenic) over a period of time can make it look like natural death.”
• Steve Nawojczyk, chief deputy coroner in Pulaski County, said: “Small amounts over a period of time can make it look like natural death.”

Police said they may exhume bodies of five senior citizens who died under the care of a live-in companion.

Authorities said Matajke performed light chores as a live-in companion, including feeding her clients, paying their bills, and buying their groceries.

Lt. R.L. “Bert” Jenkins, a police spokesman, said: “If tests show arsenic in Mrs. Kinsey's body, four other bodies may be exhumed.”

A quote also described the plan to check Opal Kinsey’s remains:

• Lt. R.L. “Bert” Jenkins said: “Kinsey's wife, Opal Kinsey, 70, died April 5, 1985, and her body will be exhumed to check for arsenic.”

Police also stated:

• Sgt. John Martin said: “Kinsey became ill and Ms. Doyle died after apparently consuming arsenic placed in their food and drink.”

Arrest

Authorities arrested Matajke on October 8 (on check forgery charges). She was held without bond in the Pulaski County Jail.

Trial

Matajke pleaded innocent to charges of first-degree murder in the Sept. 19 death of Marion Doyle and to a charge of battery of Paul Kinsey. A public defender was appointed for Matajke, but no court date was set.

She was accused on November 24 of first-degree murder in the death of Marion Doyle and first-degree battery in the non-fatal poisoning of Paul Kinsey.

In June 1987, Matajke was convicted of Paul Kinsey's murder and sentenced to life.

Two months later, in a negotiated plea bargain, she received another term of 60 years for killing Marion Doyle.

Sentencing

In June 1987, Matajke was sentenced to life for the murder of Paul Kinsey.

In a negotiated plea bargain two months later, she received another term of 60 years for killing Marion Doyle.

Appeals

Charges related to Opal Kinsey were pending.

Outcome

Matajke was sentenced to life in prison plus 60 years on two counts in Arkansas in 1987.

Aftermath

Police indicated further exhumations might occur if tests showed arsenic in Opal Kinsey’s body. Authorities said new investigations were expected into the deaths of several patients “cared for” by Matajke in Iowa.

Opal Maria Kinsey (Sep. 8, 1940 - April 5, 1985) Paul Calvin Kinsey Sr. (Jul. 21, 1915 - Feb. 20, 1987)

Other details

Initially, Matajke was charged with forgery and theft for looting Marion Doyle's bank account. Subsequent charges included felony possession of a firearm and additional counts of forgery relating to checks written on Paul Kinsey's account. A search of Matajke's home yielded mislabeled bottles of drugs and tranquilizers, along with three bottles of arsenic-based ant poison, and more serious charges were added.

Matajke faced charges including perjury and theft by receiving, and she was charged with five counts of forgery, two counts of theft by receiving, being a felon in possession of a firearm and perjury. Authorities alleged she forged checks totaling $2,600 on Ms. Doyle's account and $200 on Kinsey's account.

Matajke was described as being 56 at arraignment in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Police said they may exhume the bodies of five senior citizens who died under the care of a live-in companion charged with poisoning a 74-year-old woman with arsenic.