Fatal Stabbing at Port Jervis Assisted Living Raises Safety Concerns

State police investigators and Deerpark and Port Jervis area first responders examined a fatal stabbing at The Sentinel of Port Jervis on Greenville Turnpike after calls late on December 13 and into the early hours of December 14, 2025. Troopers found 62 year old Patricia Winters of Port Jervis dead inside a bedroom. An 84 year old Port Jervis man, James Annear, was found with apparent self inflicted stab wounds, was treated at the scene and transported to a local hospital where he remained in critical condition. State police said Annear will be charged with second degree murder when his medical condition permits, and the investigation is ongoing.

Officials closed the immediate area while investigators processed the scene, and they said they will update the public as more information becomes available. Aside from the victims, no additional injuries were reported in initial statements from responding agencies. The facility serves a community of older residents and families in southern Orange County, and staff and residents were assisted by emergency personnel during the response.

For local residents this event raises immediate concerns about safety and oversight in assisted living settings. Facilities that provide long term care operate under state licensing and oversight, and a criminal investigation of this nature often prompts supervisory agencies to review incident reporting, staffing practices, resident screening and emergency response protocols. Families with relatives in assisted living may expect inspections and briefings from facility managers as the inquiry progresses.

There are also potential market and legal implications. A violent incident can increase scrutiny from insurers and regulators, influence liability exposure for a facility, and affect occupancy decisions by prospective residents and their families. Over the longer term, as Orange County responds to an aging population and growing demand for assisted living services, policymakers and providers may face pressure to tighten safety standards, improve staff training, and invest in security and mental health resources for residents. State police and local authorities continue to investigate and will provide further details when available.