Man Gets 50 Years in Prison for Murdering Visiting Nurse in Halfway House

Update 8/11/2025

Convicted sex offender Michael Carlos Reese has been sentenced to half a century in prison for the murder of visiting nurse Joyce Grayson, 63, during a scheduled check at a Connecticut halfway house. 

Reese, 40, pleaded guilty to murder on Friday, August 8. He admitted to killing Grayson on October 28, 2023, at the Willimantic home where he was living under electronic monitoring while on probation for stabbing and sexually assaulting another woman in 2006. The prison sentence, which mandates no early release or parole, was part of a plea deal.

The 50 year sentence was handed down in Windham Superior Court, the State’s Attorney’s Office announced. Reese did not speak during the hearing at Danielson Superior Court. His lawyers spoke on his behalf, saying he apologizes to Grayson’s family and is ashamed of what he did.

Remembering Joyce Grayson

Friends and family filled the courtroom to honor Grayson, who spent decades as a nurse and fostered more than 35 children. She was named “Foster Parent of the Year” in 2017.

Her relatives gave emotional victim impact statements, telling the court the loss of such a beloved family member was devastating and that her community lost someone deeply committed to helping others.

“What the family wants the world to know is that Joyce was a saint,” said attorney Kelly Reardon, who represents the Grayson family. “The family wants the community to remember Joyce and her name and not the defendant.”

Her daughters spoke of their mother’s lifelong dedication to caring for others, noting she was killed while doing the work she loved. One of Grayson’s daughters told the court her mother taught her to help people “no matter how hard it might be.” 

Reardon also said in a statement that no matter how long Reese’s prison sentence is, the family would never be able to truly heal. Grayson’s family and friends noted she didn’t die in vain, though — her legacy lives on through safety reforms passed after her death that give home healthcare workers the right to request a chaperone for visits and to access information about whether a client may pose a potential danger.

Elara Caring, Grayson’s employer, issued a statement following Reese’s sentencing: “We continue to grieve Joyce’s loss and are grateful the justice system has delivered accountability through this conviction and sentencing.”

Update 8/6/2024

In a bipartisan effort to safeguard the well-being of home healthcare workers, the state of Connecticut has allocated $6 million from leftover COVID-19 American Rescue Plan funds. This grant aims to implement robust safety measures for those providing crucial care services in private residences.

The impetus behind this initiative stems from the murder of Joyce Grayson, a home healthcare worker, in 2023. Grayson was murdered by Michael Reese during a home health visit at a halfway house. Reese was on probation after being convicted of sexually assaulting and stabbing a previous victim, he served 14 years in prison. The senseless killing while on duty highlighted the vulnerabilities faced by professionals in this field.

“We are making this investment because of the tragic death of Joyce Grayson,” said Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz at a news conference.

The $6 million grant will fund a multifaceted approach to enhance the security of home healthcare workers. Key components include:

• Emergency Training: Equipping workers with the knowledge and skills to respond effectively in high-risk situations.
• Panic Buttons: Providing personal safety devices that allow workers to summon immediate assistance when faced with potential threats.
• Dedicated Emergency Hotline: Establishing a direct line of communication for workers to report incidents and seek support.
• Buddy Escort System: Implementing a system where workers can request accompaniment during visits to potentially hazardous locations.
• GPS Tracking: Utilizing location tracking technology to monitor the movements of workers and enable rapid response in emergencies.
• Robust Pre-Visit Risk Assessments: Conduct comprehensive evaluations to identify potential risks associated with each client's residence and environment.

Update 5/1/2024

In the wake of the tragic murder of home health nurse Joyce Grayson during a home visit at a halfway house on October 28, 2023, in Willimantic, Connecticut, a federal workplace safety investigation has uncovered critical lapses in safety protocols within one of the nation's leading home-based care providers.

The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) investigation found that Elara Caring, a prominent provider of home-based care services, failed to implement sufficient safeguards to protect its employees, including Grayson, from the inherent risks of workplace violence.

Registered sex offender, Michael Reese, was charged with murder and attempted sexual assault in the death of home health nurse, Joyce Grayson.

Primary Citation

According to OSHA's findings, Elara Caring exposed its home healthcare workers to the threat of workplace violence from patients known to exhibit aggressive behavior, thus jeopardizing the safety of its employees. Consequently, OSHA cited Jordan Health Care Inc. and New England Home Care Inc., operating as Elara Caring, for violations under the agency's general duty clause.

The primary citation addressed the absence of adequate measures to shield employees from the persistent hazard of workplace violence. Additionally, Elara Caring was cited for failing to provide work-related injury and illness records to OSHA within the mandated timeframe.

As a consequence of these violations, Elara Caring faces proposed penalties amounting to $163,627. 

Furthermore, OSHA's investigation highlighted several strategies that Elara Caring could have implemented to mitigate the risk of workplace violence, including root cause analyses of incidents, providing clinicians with comprehensive patient background information, and furnishing emergency panic alert systems.

OSHA Statement

OSHA emphasized the necessity for Elara Caring to establish and maintain comprehensive workplace violence prevention programs, outlining key components such as management commitment, hazard prevention, employee education, and recordkeeping.

“Elara Caring failed its legal duty to protect employees from workplace injury by not having effective measures in place to protect employees against a known hazard and it cost a worker her life,” said OSHA Area Director Charles D. McGrevy in Hartford, Connecticut. “For its employees’ well-being, Elara must develop, implement and maintain required safeguards such as a comprehensive workplace violence prevention program. Workplace safety is not a privilege; it is every worker’s right.”

About Elara Caring

Elara Caring, operating across 17 states with over 200 branches, including five in Connecticut, provides a range of services encompassing skilled home health, hospice care, personal care service, palliative care, and behavioral health.

The company has a window of 15 business days to address the citations and penalties, during which it can comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director, or contest the findings before the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

Update 4/19/2024

Michael Reese, a registered sex offender, has been formally charged with murder and attempted sexual assault in the death of home health nurse, Joyce Grayson. Reese appeared before a judge at Danielson Superior Court on Friday to face the charges.

Joyce Grayson, the victim, was tragically killed last year and her body was found in the basement of a halfway house. This case sparked a prolonged investigation. Court officials revealed that Reese has now been officially charged with felony murder and attempted sexual assault in connection with Grayson's death.

The courtroom proceedings marked a crucial step forward in seeking justice for Grayson and her loved ones. 

Update 2/22/24

Connecticut Democrats introduced SB 1 in memory of  Joyce Grayson and Otolegile Morulane. Both homecare workers were killed at work. The bill focuses on improving safety and protection for home care workers. 

Original article 11/2/2013

The family of Joyce Grayson, a dedicated nurse who spent her life caring for others, is pursuing a wrongful death and personal injury lawsuit, they are left questioning whether there were missed opportunities to prevent this tragedy.

Joyce Grayson's life was characterized by her unwavering commitment to the well-being of those she cared for, from foster and adoptive parenting to her career as a mental health nurse. Tragically, this noble journey ended when she was fatally attacked while tending to a patient in a home.

The Investigation

The family's attorney, Kelly Reardon, expressed their deep concerns about the circumstances leading to Joyce Grayson's death. They believe there may have been significant oversights in the events that transpired. Representing the family in the ongoing lawsuit, Reardon and her team are determined to find answers and seek justice for their beloved mother and wife.

The tragic incident has raised significant questions about the safety of visiting nurses who dedicate their lives to caring for homebound patients. 

Connecticut State Senator Saud Anwar, representing the 3rd District, views Grayson's death as a "wakeup call" for the entire state. He is now actively seeking solutions to enhance safety measures for nurses entering patients' homes, ensuring that they are aware of the living conditions before they go in alone.

Adding to the tragedy, the individual under investigation for Grayson's death, identified as Reese, had a history of violence. After serving time in prison for nearly stabbing someone to death, Reese was released and moved into a halfway house. The circumstances of Grayson's visit to Reese's home remain unclear, raising concerns about the information and support provided to nurses before such visits.

Remembering Joyce Grayson

Joyce Grayson's life was marked by her extraordinary dedication to the care of others. Over the course of nearly two decades, she fostered and adopted 35 children. Her nurturing spirit extended to her own family, as a mother of six and a grandmother of four. Her obituary beautifully captures her essence: "Joyce was a beautiful soul, who dedicated her life to caring for others. She loved her job as a mental health nurse, and it was truly what she was put on this earth to do. She passed away doing what she loved."

The tragic loss of Joyce Grayson has not only left her family in grief but has also initiated a vital conversation about the safety and support systems in place for visiting nurses. As the legal battle unfolds and policymakers work towards a more secure environment for these healthcare heroes, the hope is that no other family will have to endure such a devastating loss.

Original article 10/31/2023

Michael Reese, a convicted sex offender staying at a halfway house in Willimantic, Connecticut, has been accused of murdering his visiting nurse, according to court documents. The body of an unnamed woman was found in the basement of a halfway house where Reese was staying. While police have not released the victim's name, they did state that she was a visiting nurse.

Reese was arrested on unrelated charges, and court documents state that Reese is a suspect in the visiting nurse’s death.  

The nurse, whose phone was tracked by GPS, had been reported missing by her family after what was supposed to be an eight-minute-long appointment at the house went longer than expected. 

“This is a deeply troubling case on many levels, and one of the worst cases I have seen in my 27 years in law enforcement,” said Chief Paul Hussey, Willimantic police. “Our condolences go out to the family of the victim.”

The Charges

Reese’s bond is set at $1,005,000 and his current charges include: 

• Violating probation

• Larceny 

• Possession of drug paraphernalia

The Case Raises Safety Concerns for Nurses

The tragic incident highlights concerns about housing violent offenders in nursing homes and ensuring staff safety. Last year, a visiting nurse was murdered by his patient’s grandson in Spokane, WA. 

The nurse was employed by a home health agency and was making a routine visit to the halfway house where Reese was staying. Given Reese’s violent criminal history, questions are being raised about whether it was appropriate to house him in a facility that also received nursing care. 

A History of Violent Behavior

According to court records, Reese was convicted of a sex offense in 2015 and has a long history of violent behavior. He had only recently been released from prison and was staying at the halfway house as part of his reentry to society. 

The police investigation is ongoing, and further details about the motive and circumstances surrounding the murder have not yet been released.