New hearing set for homicide suspect in home health care death

Ronald Eugene Heskett

Vance Van Moulton

The next Douglas County District Court hearing for homicide suspect Ronald Eugene Heskett, 48, has been scheduled for Feb. 17.

Heskett, who reportedly told investigators he helped his home health care client Vance “Van” Moulton kill himself with a bath towel, was originally to appear in court Tuesday to set a preliminary hearing date. However, his attorney, Mike Warner, requested more time on Tuesday to gather information and expert witnesses.

Heskett, of Eudora, worked as a home health care attendant to Lawrence resident Moulton, 65, who had cerebral palsy, the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office confirmed last month. Moulton was found dead of asphyxiation Sept. 12 at his residence at Prairie Ridge Place Apartments, 2424 Melrose Lane, the affidavit for his arrest said.

Moulton was found in bed with a towel around his head, investigators said. Douglas County Coroner Erik Mitchell said that the asphyxiation had been caused by a “consistent area of compression surrounding his entire neck.”

Heskett told investigators that Moulton had asked him to kill him with a gun or smother him with a pillow many times before the morning of Sept. 12, according to the affidavit. Heskett said when Moulton asked again that day, he gave in because Moulton told him “he just wanted to walk with his mother again.”

After Moulton’s death, Heskett tried to cut his wrist because he “felt so guilty,” the affidavit said. Heskett was later taken to Osawatomie State Hospital.

At the Feb. 17 hearing, prosecutors and the defense will set future hearings.