A Florida woman was arrested on suspicion of murdering her husband, who was found with more than 140 stab wounds and a skull fracture caused by a meat cleaver.
Victim Melvin Weller, 62, was discovered by his stepson lying in a pool of blood that covered more than half the kitchen and spattered along the walls, ceiling, cabinets, and counter, WPTV reported. The crime occurred on Feb. 11 in Palm Springs, a small quiet village 61 miles north of Miami. Details have just been released in a police affidavit.
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When police arrived at the gory crime scene, Weller appeared to be dead. They said the amount of blood combined with the widespread spatter indicated that a violent struggle had ensued.
Weller’s wife, Joan Burke, 61, was in the master bedroom of the home. She was awake and did not speak to officers, WPTV said.
A few knives and a meat cleaver were found in the kitchen sink, and cleaning supplies were sitting on the floor next to Weller’s body. Police also found Burke’s bloodstained nightgown and Weller’s cellphone inside a plastic bag on the counter.
The affidavit said Burke had lacerations on the palms of both hands, which is a common injury to suspects when they are stabbing another individual. Repeated stabbings cause blood to get on the knife handle, which makes the weapon slippery and causes an injury to the perpetrator.
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Burke was ordered held without bail on Sunday.