Court OKs Wrongful Death Suit over Teen Shooting

By Daniel Hawn

Published on March 14, 2008

Eleanore Thorson filed a lawsuit after her granddaughter, Heather Thorson, died in 2002 in an alleged suicide pact with her friend Elizabeth Connelly. The incident, which occurred in Cuba – a small town approximately 86 miles southwest of St. Louis – resulted in first-degree murder charges against Connelly. Connelly ultimately pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and armed criminal action and was sentenced to 20 years in prison.

During the criminal trial, an attorney for Connelly said that when Thorson was shot, the two had been playing with a handgun. He claimed that while Connelly was holding the weapon, Thorson put her head in front of it and grabbed at Connelly, causing the gun to go off.

In her lawsuit, Eleanore Thorson accuses Connelly of playing a role in Thorson's death by shooting her, aiming a .357 pistol at her when it accidentally went off or grabbing at the gun while Thorson was in front of it. In addition, Connelly's mother, Betty Palmer, and Palmer's husband are accused of being negligent for giving Connelly the handgun or failing to stop her from getting a hold of it.

An attorney for Eleanore Thorson said the case may go to trial within a year.

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