WANTAGH, N.Y. (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) – A 74-year-old man allegedly stabbed his 82-year-old wife to death at their Long Island home over the weekend in what police believe was a planned murder-suicide by a husband who was overwhelmed by being a longtime caregiver.
Anthony Heaton was arraigned Sunday on a charge of second-degree murder. He's being held without bail and is on suicide watch.
According to Nassau County police, Heaton immediately confessed to officers when they arrived at the couple's home on Oakland Avenue in Wantagh around 11:45 a.m. Saturday.
Heaton stabbed his wife, Mary Heaton, dozens of times and strangled her until she was dead, according to police, who said she was found lifeless on the floor during the welfare check.
Nassau Police Det. Capt. Stephen Fitzpatrick said Sunday that the two were married for more than 40 years and had lived at the home for decades.
"Her health has been diminishing over the years, and the stress of the overwhelming—taking care of her and what comes with that with her declining health—got to him," Fitzpatrick said.
"And he couldn't take it, and he had planned to take her life and then commit suicide," Fitzpatrick continued. "He went, he stabbed her multiple times, strangled her. When he caused her death, he then did not kill himself."
Heaton's attorney, Nicholas Massimo, said this could be a case of temporary insanity and that "much more will come to light." He entered a plea of not guilty on Heaton's behalf in court Sunday.
"He basically dedicated his life to taking care of his wife," Massimo told Newsday. "I believe there might be some kind of temporary insanity involved."
Police have no history of domestic disturbances at the home.
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