According to an article in the Daily Jefferson County Union, “A Fort Atkinson woman who killed her 72-year-old grandmother and set fire to the house containing her body received a life sentence Thursday, December 1, according to court documents.

Elizabeth Durkee, 37, will be eligible for extended supervision after an initial confinement of 22 years, minus the 537 days she has already spent in custody.

Durkee taped her grandmother’s mouth and nose closed with floral print duct tape in 2021 after discussions involving end of life, according to criminal complaints filed at the time. Durkee stayed in the room while her grandmother suffocated, then spent at least two days in the house with the decaying corpse, according to court documents filed at the time.

On the morning of June 11, 2021, Durkee set a fire she originally intended to take her life and the life of her 2-year-old daughter. Officials briefly issued an amber alert after Durkee left with the daughter, but revoked it hours later when Durkee was arrested and her daughter was handed over to family members.”