LOUISVILLE, KY (WAVE) – A 77-year-old man was found badly beaten in his own home and police are now looking for his attacker. It happened along Morgan Avenue near Preston Highway.
The victim, Merrett Garrett, is fighting for his life at University Hospital.
Dale Garrett still can't comprehend what happened to his father while he was sleeping on his couch.
"They attacked him while he was asleep," said Garrett. "He was asleep when this took place. He didn't really know what happened, he just woke up in the hospital."
Police said Merrett was beat with an unknown object. His injuries are severe, several broken bones in his face, a broken jaw and a fractured back.
"I'm really at a lack of words for how anyone can take and beat a 77-year-old man," said Garrett.
His home turned into a crime scene after a neighbor called police. The victim was found tied up in his bedroom barely conscious. Police said Merrett was discovered bound and gagged with duct tape around 9 a.m. on Sunday morning.
"The tape was so tight around his hands, the circulation was cut off and they're just blistered up to no end," said Garrett.
His family believes he was attacked sometime Saturday night.
Dale Garrett, who lives in Elizabethtown, said a woman stayed with his father. She moved in about two years ago after Merrett's daughter passed away. The family was under the impression that she would serve as his caretaker and had a medical background.
"Her sole job was just to watch after him,"
Police said this woman wasn't a nurse and now they believe the suspect in this case may be someone Merrett met through her. Police said this wasn't a random act of violence and money may have been a motive.
"To think that you could lose your life and be beat like this for a couple thousand dollars is really pitiful," said Garrett.
Police have spoken to the caretaker. They said they have a possible suspect, but ask if you have any information that could help them in this case to call 502-574-LMPD.
Copyright 2012 WAVE News. All rights reserved.
Dale Garrett
Merrett Garrett before and after his injuries. (Source: Family photos)
Merrett Garrett in the hospital. (Source: Family photo)
