A Florida man is facing charges of attempted murder after a failed murder-suicide attempt on Christmas Day, according to police.
Jonathan McPhee, 78, was hospitalized after attacking his wife with a sledgehammer while she slept in their home. Police say McPhee called 911 after the attack and admitted, “I clubbed her, and I’m going to try to stab myself in the heart.”.. Continue reading here ▶
When officers arrived, they found McPhee outside the home with a self-inflicted knife wound. Inside, they discovered his wife unconscious and severely injured. Both were rushed to the hospital in critical condition.
Before police arrived, McPhee reportedly texted his wife’s daughter, saying he had “killed” his wife and planned to take his own life due to financial and health struggles. He also provided instructions for funeral arrangements and life insurance.
His wife survived but suffered a significant brain injury. At the hospital, McPhee reportedly told medical staff, “Just let me die, I killed my wife.”
A neighbor described McPhee as “very depressed” and suggested he might have suffered a mental breakdown due to overwhelming stress.
