A Utah nurse allegedly faked her friend’s cancer diagnosis, killed her with an insulin overdose, and then tried to collect $1.5 million in life insurance benefits in a shocking betrayal of both friendship and medical ethics.
At a Glance
- Meggan Randall Sundwall, a Utah nurse, is charged with first-degree aggravated murder after allegedly killing her friend Kacee Lyn Terry
- Police say Sundwall fabricated a story that Terry had terminal cancer, then administered a lethal insulin dose to collect on a $1.5 million life insurance policy
- An autopsy revealed Terry had no cancer or other health issues, contradicting claims Sundwall made to family and medical personnel
- Investigators discovered 28,000 text messages showing Sundwall had been plotting the murder for years
- Sundwall is being held without bail on murder and obstruction of justice charges
A Deadly Deception Uncovered
Utah authorities have arrested registered nurse Meggan Randall Sundwall on charges of first-degree aggravated murder after she allegedly orchestrated an elaborate plot to kill her friend Kacee Lyn Terry in order to claim a $1.5 million life insurance payout. According to investigators, Sundwall convinced Terry, her friends, and family that Terry was suffering from terminal cancer – when in reality, she was perfectly healthy.
Police allege that on August 15, 2024, Sundwall administered a lethal dose of insulin to Terry, who was not diabetic, causing her to suffer brain death before she died several days later. When emergency responders arrived at Terry’s home that day, Sundwall falsely claimed Terry had signed a do-not-resuscitate order and that she should not be taken to the hospital due to her supposed terminal condition.
Years of Manipulation Revealed
The investigation uncovered disturbing evidence of long-term manipulation. Police discovered approximately 28,000 text messages from Sundwall to Terry over several years, with many focusing on Terry’s supposed terminal illness and Sundwall’s offers to help end her suffering. Examination of these messages revealed what investigators described as a calculated plot.
“[The texts were] detailing different ways [to kill Terry] and offering to ‘help’ [the victim] die,” according to court documents filed in the case.
On the day of Terry’s death, Sundwall texted her asking: “Do you want to take some promethazine when I get there so that you are asleep when this is happening?” Promethazine was later found in Terry’s system during the autopsy, along with a lethal dose of insulin.
No Cancer, No Insurance Policy
When Terry was found unresponsive, Sundwall told first responders that Terry had “major, major health issues” and would only be at the hospital for “a couple of hours” before being sent to hospice care. She also insisted to police that Terry “had a DNR and she did not want to go to the hospital,” according to Terry’s uncle Mark Farnsworth.
The medical examiner’s report completely contradicted Sundwall’s claims. The autopsy revealed Terry had no cancer or any other significant health issues that would have warranted end-of-life care. Investigators also found no evidence of a do-not-resuscitate order, power of attorney, or any life insurance policy naming Sundwall as beneficiary.
Terry’s own sisters told investigators they believed she “had terminal cancer for 4-5 years but had been doing better” – information they had received from Sundwall, not from medical professionals.
Attempted Cover-Up
After Terry’s death, police say Sundwall attempted to cover her tracks. She searched for information about Terry’s life insurance policy and deleted over 900 text messages between herself and the victim. These actions led to the additional charge of obstruction of justice. Investigators noted that Sundwall had significant financial problems and believed she would benefit from Terry’s death.
The case has shocked the small community of Hurricane, Utah, which had not seen a murder in over a decade. The Utah Division of Professional Licensing has opened an investigation into Sundwall’s nursing license while the criminal case proceeds.
Sundwall is currently being held without bail at the Washington County Purgatory Correctional Facility as she awaits trial on charges of first-degree aggravated murder and third-degree felony obstruction of justice.
