My condolences to former National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster. With my own wounds still fresh, I know nothing is more jarring than the sudden, unexpected loss of a loved one.

In this case, it appears McMaster has lost his father to suspicious circumstances.

According to sources, the Philadelphia Police Department Homicide Unit, the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office, the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office and the Department of Health are all investigating the death of former National Security Advisor General H.R. McMaster’s father, 84-year-old H.R. McMaster, Sr.
It is being investigated as a suspicious death.

The elder McMaster was living in a senior care retirement community, called Cathedral Village, where he was receiving care, after suffering a stroke.

In the past, I’ve worked as a caregiver to the elderly and disabled, so I have an idea how these setups work, and this should set off all kinds of alarms.

The allegations are that McMaster Sr. fell, hit his head, was put in a chair and then died. He allegedly did not receive proper care.

Investigators are probing information from some staff members who informed the McMaster family that records were falsified pertaining to this death.

He passed away on April 13.

Police executed a search warrant for the facility on Tuesday. Cathedral Village’s spokesperson has said that they are cooperating fully in the investigation, have contacted the Department of Health, and are doing their own, internal investigation.

Abuse and neglect in elder care facilities is, unfortunately, a very real problem. In many of the cases, the residents are helpless, the staff are overworked, and sometimes, the unthinkable happens.

As someone caring for a disabled parent now, my heart goes out to McMaster and his family. I care for my dad at home, because we couldn’t bear the thought of sending him to a facility. I don’t know how I would react to news like this, but it can’t be easy, and I’m sure there are some in the McMaster family blaming themselves.

Prayers for them all.