Inset: Thomas Wentzell (Orange County Jail). Background: The home in Windermere, Florida, where Wentzell murdered his wife (Google Maps).

A Florida doctor is facing imprisonment for the murder of his wife, whom he suffocated with a pillow. He initially claimed his injuries from the incident were caused by playing with the family dog.

Dr. Thomas Wentzell, aged 72, entered a no-contest plea to a charge of second-degree murder for killing his wife, Linda Wentzell, at their residence in Windermere, an affluent suburb of Orlando. A judge sentenced the former physician to 12 years behind bars on Tuesday.

Police arrived at the scene on December 2, discovering Linda Wentzell deceased in the master bedroom. Contrary to Dr. Wentzell’s accounts, investigators found “discrepancies in his statements,” as outlined in a probable cause arrest affidavit. They observed various cuts and bruises on his face, neck, and arms.

Asked to elaborate on the injuries, Thomas Wentzell claimed they came from playing with the family dog. Officers did not arrest him at that point.

Just three days afterwards, officers reacted to reports of suicidal threats at Thomas Wentzell’s office, as noted in court documents. He was brought to the police station for questioning. Once informed of his Miranda rights, Wentzell confessed to his wife’s murder, explaining that he suffocated her with a pillow. During the interview, he revealed that only he and his wife were present in the house and admitted to reacting impulsively after an argument erupted during the night, according to the affidavit.

Thomas Wentzell was taken into custody and has been at the Orange County Jail ever since.

Neighbors at the time of the murder said the couple was known to fight.

“It’s a very quiet community,” one neighbor told local ABC affiliate WFTV. “The only arguments that I’ve ever heard has came out of that house.”