MACOMB TOWNSHIP, MI — A Clinton Township woman has been charged with first-degree murder and multiple financial crimes after allegedly using a fraudulent Power of Attorney to remove a 78-year-old man from life support, then embezzling his assets and forging property documents, authorities announced Wednesday.
Key Points
- Linda Polk, 52, is charged with first-degree murder, fraud, and embezzlement involving a vulnerable adult.
- Polk allegedly used a fake Power of Attorney to authorize the victim’s death and then concealed it from his family.
- Authorities say she forged property documents and stole from the victim’s estate after his death.
Months-long investigation leads to arrest
The Macomb County Sheriff’s Office arrested Linda Polk on Tuesday following a months-long investigation. Polk had been providing in-home care to the victim’s wife since 2021, and later began caring for the victim himself, who experienced a health decline in early 2024.
In October 2024, the man was hospitalized and placed on life support. Investigators allege Polk obtained a fraudulent Power of Attorney and used it to instruct medical staff to end life support. The victim died on October 19, 2024.
Polk reportedly failed to inform the man’s family of his death and arranged for his cremation. She then allegedly authored a fake Quit-Claim deed to seize ownership of his home.
Forgery, theft and financial exploitation alleged
Authorities said Polk embezzled funds from the deceased and opened credit cards in his name, making unauthorized transactions. She faces eight felony charges, including two counts of property document forgery, two counts of identity theft, and misuse of financial devices.
Polk was arraigned remotely Wednesday by 41-B District Court and was given a $1,000,000 cash or surety bond. Conditions of her potential release include wearing a steel cuff tether and surrendering her passport.
Clinton Township Police are conducting a separate fraud investigation involving Polk, in addition to the current charges brought by Macomb County.
Authorities allege Polk exploited her position as a caregiver to orchestrate the man’s death and systematically profit from his estate.