Connecticut Officials Settle Lawsuit With Family Of Nurse Killed At Halfway House For $2.25 Million

HARTFORD/WILLIMANTIC, CT — The lawyer representing the Connecticut family in a wrongful death suit connected to the 2023 killing of a visiting nurse by a registered sex offender said a $2.25 million settlement from the state not only represents compensation, but the next step toward implementing tighter safeguards for the profession.

The settlement between state officials and the family of Joyce Grayson was signed on Sept. 9 and endorsed by a judge in Hartford a week and two days later. The wrongful death lawsuit was filed by Grayson's husband, Ronald. Negotiations between the family and other defendants in the suit, including Grayson's employer, are "in the process of wrapping up," the family's lawyer, Kelly Reardon, told Patch Tuesday.

Grayson was killed after she went to a halfway house in Willimantic on Oct. 8, 2023. The 63-year-old mother of six was a nurse for 36 years and was there to give medication to a parolee assigned to the residence — Michael Reese. Reese was at the halfway house following time served for stabbing and sexually assaulting a woman in 2006. He was also assigned to the state sex offender registry.

Police found Grayson dead in the basement later that day. She died as a result of neck compression and blunt force trauma, according to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. Reese was given a 50-year sentence after a guilty plea, case records show.

The lawsuit blamed a failure by the state corrections department and the judicial branch to properly supervise Reese and protect him from the public.

"The family is pleased, in part, that the state has agreed to meet with family members to discuss measures that would protect nurses," Reardon said. "We want to work on awareness by state agencies that would change practices to keep people safe."

A Connecticut law that took effect On Oct. 1, 2024 requires home health aide agencies to share client safety risk information, provide safety training and implement safety measures like photo ID badges. Agencies must now report workplace violence incidents and the state will offer grant programs for security escorts. Reardon said the family wants to build on that.

The measures were partly in response to the Grayson incident.

The Connecticut attorney general's office, which represented the state in the lawsuit, declined direct comment when reached by Patch Tuesday. The office referred all comment to the agreement.

It said, "The parties attest and acknowledge that this stipulated agreement represents a compromise resolution of this case and does not constitute an admission of liability, violation of any common law, constitutional or statutory rights, or any negligence, wrongdoing or tort on the part of the STATE, the Department of Correction, the Judicial Branch, Court Support Services Division and Adult Probation Services, or any of their officials, boards, employees, agents, predecessors or successors."

Also named as plaintiffs are Joyce Grayson's employer, Dallas-based Elara Caring, and some affiliated companies. The suit claims they were negligent concerning safety concerns while treating dangerous patients.