New details are emerging after a deadly stabbing inside a luxury senior housing facility in Orange County, as former employees raise concerns about safety and care at the facility.

New York State Police say the violence unfolded just before midnight Friday inside a bedroom at The Sentinel of Port Jervis, an assisted living community on Greenville Turnpike. Authorities say 62-year-old Patricia Winters of Port Jervis was found dead from an apparent stab wound.

Police say the suspect, 84-year-old James Annear, was also found inside the room suffering from what investigators describe as self-inflicted stab wounds following an apparent suicide attempt. He was transported to a hospital, where police say he remains in critical condition. Authorities say Annear will be charged with second-degree murder once he is medically cleared.

The Orange County District Attorney confirms the victim and suspect knew each other and says a verbal argument escalated into deadly violence just before midnight. The district attorney also says no other residents witnessed the attack, and that staff members discovered both the victim and the suspect after the incident occurred.

Former employees who asked to remain anonymous tell News 12 they knew both residents and said the man and woman had been involved in a romantic relationship while living at the facility for the past three years.

One former employee News 12 interviewed described the aftermath as traumatic, saying staff members told her the scene was “like hotel horrors.”

“I was very close with Patty,” the former employee said. “This shouldn’t have happened.”

Former employees also questioned how the suspect was able to obtain a knife inside the facility.

“This could’ve been avoided completely, and Patty would be here,” one former worker said.

News 12 has also heard from two other people who identify themselves as former employees, including one who said she filed a complaint with the New York State Department of Health as a mandated reporter over resident safety concerns and was later let go from her position.

A third former employee, who also asked to remain anonymous, told News 12 she believes oversight failed despite repeated state involvement. “DOH has been there several times and nothing has ever been done,” the former employee said.

State Health Department records show The Sentinel of Port Jervis has been cited for 30 violations over the past four years, including a complaint investigation last month that resulted in 20 violations. Records show some of those violations involved resident protections. According to state records, the violations have since been corrected.

In a statement, facility administrators said the community is heartbroken and profoundly saddened by the resident’s death, adding that the incident was immediately reported to authorities and that the facility is cooperating fully with law enforcement.

“The safety, dignity, and well-being of our residents and staff remain our highest priority,” the statement said. “We are offering support services to residents and staff who may need assistance coping with this tragedy.”