Wanda Palmer was living in a nursing home in New Martinsville, West Virginia, after she was found unconscious with severe head injuries at her Cottageville home in June 2020, West Virginia Metro News reported.
She had been beaten so badly authorities thought she was dead when they discovered her, according to the newspaper.
Police worked to find clues to her assailant, but all leads have dried up, the newspaper said.
But in June, the care home called the police to inform them that Mrs Palmer had come out of the coma and was able to say single words and seemed to respond when asked.
In a police interview last week, she identified the person who attacked her as her brother, Daniel Palmer, 55.
Wanda’s brother, Daniel Palmer, was charged with attempted murder and malicious wounding. Credit: Jackson County WV Sheriff’s Department/Facebook
“The keys to the whole thing were with the victim himself, and because he couldn’t communicate, we were left with nothing,” Jackson County Sheriff Ross Melenger said, according to Metro News.
“Now low and behold, two years later and boom, she’s awake and can tell us exactly what happened,” he added.
Palmer has since been charged with attempted murder and malicious wounding, the sheriff’s office said on Facebook.
Sheriff Mellenger said police believed Palmer used a knife or ax to hit his sister in the head.
He described the unusual case as “about as rare as it gets”.
Palmer is being held in jail on $500,000 bond. It was not immediately clear if he had an attorney.
Want a quick and special update on the biggest news? Listen to our latest podcasts to find out what you need to know
