In a chilling incident in Florida, an elderly man allegedly shot and killed his 83-year-old wife, who was suffering from dementia, because he believed serving time in prison would be easier than caring for her, according to authorities.
William Elwood Simmons, aged 80, faces a charge of first-degree murder after he reportedly shot his wife, Nancy, during an argument in their Orlando home. The dispute, which occurred around 5:15 p.m. on Saturday, involved a disagreement about a cruise, as detailed by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office and reported by Fox 35.
Upon arrival, police discovered Nancy lying face down in the kitchen, with blood visible from a head wound.
When questioned by officers about the incident, Simmons reportedly confessed, “I do know what happened, I did it,” as stated in an arrest affidavit obtained by the news outlet.
The affidavit further reveals that Simmons claimed he and his wife were in the midst of a heated argument when he retrieved a shotgun, returned to the kitchen, and fired a single shot. He allegedly expressed frustration over her dementia and lamented the loss of the person she once was, stating he preferred prison over dealing with her condition.
Simmons informed authorities that he was neither under the influence of substances nor acting in self-defense at the time of the shooting, according to the report.
The slain wife was pronounced dead at the scene. Cops recovered the gun and one spent round nearby.
Simmons, a former cop, was charged with first-degree murder using a firearm, jail records show.
He is being held without bail at Orange County Jail.
