Background: Montgomery County Detention Center (Montgomery County Department of Correction and Rehabilitation) Inset: Vivian Stewart Nation (Montgomery County Police Department)
A man has been arrested for allegedly murdering his wife with a hammer, screwdriver, and knife following an argument at their home in a senior living community in Maryland, police say.
Vivian Stewart Nation, 80, was arrested and charged with the first-degree murder of his wife, Beverly Fletcher, 78, the Montgomery County Police Department announced.
On Saturday at around 6 p.m., officers responded to 3310 North Leisure World Boulevard in Montgomery County, first meeting with security officers of Leisure World, described as a “gated community offer[ing] a maintenance-free lifestyle convenient to all of the civic and cultural attractions of the greater Washington region” for those 55 and older.
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Officers say they were led to Nation”s room where they spoke with him – and saw his wife’s body. She had multiple stab wounds “and possible blunt force trauma,” and she was pronounced dead at the home. The cause of death was ruled “multiple sharp force injuries.”
According to court documents reviewed by Washington, D.C., Fox affiliate WTTG, a knife and screwdriver with “suspected blood” were found inside their third-floor apartment in a high-rise building, as well as a hammer suspected of being used to choke the victim.
The killing is alleged to have occurred after an argument took place between the married couple over a situation involving Nation’s doctor. The couple had reportedly been married for 13 years.
Nation appeared in court on Monday for a bond hearing, and the presiding judge ordered him to undergo a mental health evaluation.
“It’s fairly apparent to those who’ve had contact with Mr. Nation that there may be some cognitive issues that are involved in this case,” Montgomery County State’s Attorney John McCarthy told reporters, alluding to the judge’s order. He also said there were reports Nation had had “a couple of strokes” before his wife’s death.
The families of the suspect and victim have been described as extremely close, WUSA reported.
“One individual that we met with described herself as a family member of the defendant but best friend of the victim,” McCarthy said at the same press conference. “So there’s clearly [a] relationship between these families.”
“There appeared to be a very good relationship between both the victim’s family and the defendant’s family,” he added.
Nation is reportedly due back in court next week for an update on his mental health evaluation.
