A Missouri man killed his wife because he couldn’t afford her medical bills

A 75-year-old Missouri man has been charged with murdering his wife after he allegedly strangled her in a hospital bed because he couldn’t properly care for her or pay her medical bills.

According to police, Ronnie Wiggs visited his wife Ellen earlier this month. She was at the hospital to change the connection for her dialysis treatment. About an hour later, hospital staff were called to the room of the 72-year-old woman, who appeared to be in cardiac arrest. She became unresponsive and was later determined to be brain dead. After having her organs removed for transplant, she was declared dead.

However, staff noticed bruises and abrasions on Ms Wiggs’ neck. Someone said about her husband: “I did it, I killed her, I strangled her.”

Mr. Wiggs later told police that he had tried to kill his wife twice while she was in the hospital. The first time, his wife woke up and told him not to try again. The second time he was slowed down by the many monitors his wife was connected to.

Ellen Wiggs’ death is not euthanasia, but it is an example of the despair that can overcome those caring for sick and elderly spouses.