Andrea Merrell, 43, died on a couple of days after she was violently assaulted on Christmas Day by Jonathan Chet Winch, while working a shift at M Health Fairview Lakes Hospital in Wyoming, Minnesota 

The female hospital security guard was viciously attacked by the much bigger 35-year-old male patient who was trying to escape a medical hold

Six-foot-two-inch, 363lbs Winch viciously attacked Merrell around 5.30pm after he pushed through large magnetic doors and fled the emergency room, ‘contrary to medical hold

When Wyoming cops arrived, they spotted a hospital security vehicle with its lights on and a guard ‘lying unconscious on the round’

A shirtless Winch, then attempted to gain access to the security car before a police officer blocked his route with his squad car

Winch then jumped on the windshield of the officer’s vehicle before the cop managed to get him off and deployed his taser to subdue the suspect 

Winch who is due to appear in court on Jan. 27, is being held on a $2 million bail for second-degree murder, and faces a maximum sentence of 40 years if he is convicted as charged

Andrea Merrell, [photo], 43, a security hospital guard in the city of Wyoming, MN, died days after being physically assaulted by a male patient who broke out of the emergency room on Christmas Day

A female hospital security guard was senselessly beaten to death on Christmas day in Minnesota by a male patient who was trying to escape a medical hold, police said. 
Andrea Merrell, 43, died two days after she was savagely beaten on biggest holiday of the year by Jonathan Chet Winch while she was working a shift at M Health Fairview Lakes Hospital in the city of Wyoming, about 45 minutes outside of Minneapolis. Winch reportedly, assaulted Merrell before fleeing.
The 35-year-old, six-foot-two-inch-tall man weighing 363lbs from Wisconsin, viciously attacked the comparatively slight Merrell around 5.30pm after he pushed through large magnetic doors and fled the emergency room, ‘contrary to medical hold,’ according to a criminal complaint. 
Police officers called to the scene, on arrival spotted a hospital security vehicle with its lights on and a guard ‘lying unconscious on the ground.’
The assailant who was bare chested, dressed only in dark sweatpants bottoms, then attempted to gain access to the security car before a police officer blocked his flight route with his squad car.
The suspect then jumped on the windshield of the officer’s vehicle before the cop managed to get him off and deployed his taser, to fell Winch to the ground. 
Merrell was transported to Regions Hospital in St. Paul, about 30 miles south of Wyoming, where she succumbed to her injuries on December 27.

The suspect, Jonathan Chet Winch allegedly struck Merrell and knocked her unconscious before police arrived on scene of the attack at M Health Fairview Lakes Hospital in Wyoming, Minnesota, on Dec. 25

Winch refused the officer’s demands and went on to ‘advance’ them while stating ‘I didn’t mean to hurt her,’ the complaint read. After allegedly fighting back for about five minutes, he was arrested. 
A motive for the attack and why Winch was on a medical hold remains has not been stated. 
Additional officers and first responders rendered aid to Merrell, who had a very weak pulse, severe head trauma, and agonized breathing. She died two days later from her injuries. 
According to the Ramsey County Medical Examiner, Merrell’s cause of death was from head injuries due to physical assault.
Surveillance footage taken outside the hospital showed ‘one smaller’ and ‘one larger’ individual engaging in a ‘physical struggle,’ the complaint read. 
Merrell, who was described as a ‘smaller-framed person,’ was then seen lying on the pavement while Winch, a ‘larger-framed individual,’ swung at the employee while on top of her.  

Consummate law officer Andrea Merrell [right], a firefighter with White Bear Lake Fire Dept, was also a reserve police officer with the White Bear Lake Police Dept

In a statement following the fatal assault on one of their employees, M Health Fairview Services remembered Merrell as ‘a valued member of our security team.’ 
‘Our hearts are with her loved ones and co-workers during this incredibly difficult time. We are focused on supporting our teams and ensuring they have the resources they need,’ the hospital said in a Facebook post. 
Merrell, originally from North Branch, has been remembered by her loved ones as someone with a bubbly personality who befriended almost anyone. 
‘We were supposed to be friends forever and that was cut short,’ Pam Heaton, a friend of Merrell’s since high school, told The Minnesota Star Tribune. 
’I’m still shocked. I’m still in denial,’ Heaton continued. 

Described as ‘amazing’ Andrea Merrell [photo] has been remembered by her family, friends and colleagues as a ‘nice person’ with a bubbly personality who befriended almost anyone

She, along with Merrell’s other longtime friend, Heather Miller, said Merrell loved her job and worked in several security positions over the years. 
‘She was very tough, she was strong. She liked to help people. She was doing amazing, she was doing great things,’ Miller told the outlet. 
She also served as a reserve police officer and firefighter, according to the White Bear Lake Police Department. 
An online fundraiser has since been launched on Give A Hand to help out Merrell’s family. The page wich as of Tuesday evening, nearly $3,000 of the $100,000 goal had been raised, announced that a memorial service will be held on January 11 in Lindstrom, Minnesota. 
Winch is being held in jail on a $2 million bail for second-degree murder, which carries a maximum sentence of 40 years if he is convicted as charged. He is due to appear in court on January 27, and the court has ordered a mental competency exam to be conducted while Winch remains in custody.