Male Nurse Arrested for Allegedly Raping a 73-Year-Old Dying Grandmother

Nationwide — Chappel Lee, an African American male nurse from Atlanta, Georgia, has been arrested nearly a year after allegedly raping 73-year-old patient Eva Lay while she was hospitalized in her final weeks. He now faces multiple charges, including rape and aggravated sodomy.

Authorities said the assault happened in October 2024 inside Lay’s hospital room at Grady Memorial Hospital, as reported by 11Alive. Lay was being treated for congestive heart failure at the time. She later died weeks after the incident from health issues unrelated to the assault, but her family said the trauma deeply affected her final days.

According to arrest warrants, Lee faces charges of rape, aggravated sexual battery, two counts of aggravated sodomy, abuse or neglect of an elderly person, and tampering with evidence. Attorneys for Lay’s family said his arrest brings some relief, but it cannot undo the harm.

Family lawyers Reginald Greene and L. Chris Stewart released a statement calling Lay a devoted mother and grandmother who deserved dignity and care. They said instead she was “violated by the very individual entrusted to protect her.”

Lay’s grandson, Christopher Davis, remembered her as a strong and resilient woman. He said the alleged assault left her broken during the last weeks of her life, something he had never witnessed before.

Court records show Lee allegedly volunteered to check on Lay when it was not his duty, raising concerns from a supervising nurse. Attorneys said Lay’s family also noticed him behaving inappropriately toward her. Evidence reportedly includes surveillance video of Lee cleaning the room and disposing of bed sheets after the attack.

Lay told her family about the assault the following day and even recorded a video statement, which her attorneys plan to present in court. A civil lawsuit filed last month accuses Grady Hospital of negligence in hiring and supervising staff, failing to protect vulnerable patients.

Lay’s family thanked Atlanta police investigators for pursuing the case. Her attorneys vowed to hold both Lee and Grady Memorial Hospital accountable, saying hospitals must protect patients from abuse inside their facilities.

Grady Hospital previously stated it reported the allegation to police immediately and cooperated fully, but investigators at the time said there was no physical evidence.