90 Year Old Widow Shoots Self As Deputies Attempt To Carry Out Foreclosure Eviction; Fannie To Forgive Loan, Give Back Home In Response To Publicity

In Akron, Ohio, the Akron Beacon Journal reports:

• At the age of 90, [she] found herself in foreclosure this week, about to be forced from the home she's lived in for nearly 40 years. So, with a gun in her hand, the Akron widow apparently shot herself in the chest Wednesday afternoon as deputies were knocking on her door with eviction papers in hand. While a nation reels in financial crisis from years of mortgage abuse, [she] is recovering at Akron General Medical Center, awaiting word on where she will live when she's released. Meanwhile, city leaders say [the widow] has become Akron's ''poster child'' for victims of predatory lenders.

For more, see 90-year-old foreclosure victim apparently shoots self (Woman in hospital with wounds to chest).

See also, Kucinich mentions Akron woman's plight during House bailout debate.

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For story update, see CNN: Fannie Mae forgives loan for woman who shot herself:

• Fannie Mae said it will set aside the loan of a woman who shot herself as sheriff's deputies tried to evict her from her foreclosed home. [...] On Friday, Fannie Mae spokesman Brian Faith said the mortgage association had decided to halt action against [the homeowner] and sign the property "outright" to her. "We're going to forgive whatever outstanding balance she had on the loan and give her the house," Faith said. "Given the circumstances, we think it's appropriate." [Go here for CNN video].

See also, Akron Beacon Journal: Akron woman's foreclosure gets U.S. response (Kucinich takes plight of owner who shot herself to Congress; Fannie Mae forgives mortgage).

Go here for other posts on police incidents at foreclosed homes. SheriffDeputiesForeclosureAlpha