In Missouri, a man named Ronnie Wiggs has been charged with second-degree murder after admitting to strangling his wife to death while she was lying in a hospital bed. Wiggs stated that he killed his wife because he couldn’t take care of her anymore and was unable to afford her medical bills. The incident took place in a hospital in Jackson County, where a witness reported suspicious injuries on the victim. Wiggs was overheard by medical staff confessing to the crime, stating, “I did it, I killed her, I choked her.” The victim was pronounced deceased the following morning.
During police questioning, Wiggs admitted to killing his wife by choking her and covering her mouth and nose to prevent her from screaming. He also confessed to attempting to kill her two other times while she was hospitalized for medical issues. The first attempt took place at the same hospital where he ultimately killed her, while the second attempt was at a rehabilitation facility. Wiggs explained that he was unable to follow through with the action during the second attempt because the victim woke up and told him not to do it again. He stated that he was depressed and killed his wife because he could not take care of her and afford the medical bills.
An unidentified witness, who identified the victim as his mother, informed authorities that she was in the hospital to receive a new port for her dialysis treatment. Initially, the victim was reported to be alert and oriented by hospital staff, but her condition quickly deteriorated. Wiggs reportedly told the witness and a nurse in the hospital room that he had killed his wife by choking her. Following the incident, a “Code Blue” was initiated, and the victim was pronounced deceased the next morning. Wiggs is currently being held in custody on a $250,000 bond while awaiting further legal proceedings.
The Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office and the Independence Police Department are involved in the investigation of this case. It remains unclear whether Wiggs has retained legal representation or if any updates have been provided on the case. The victim’s details have not been publicly released, and Wiggs’ age has not been disclosed to the public. The incident has shocked and saddened the local community, raising questions about the importance of mental health support and resources for caregivers and individuals struggling with the financial burden of medical expenses.
This tragic incident underscores the complexities and challenges that can arise in caregiving situations, especially when financial strain and mental health issues are involved. The case exemplifies the devastating consequences of not having adequate support and resources for families facing difficult medical circumstances. As the legal proceedings continue, the community is left grappling with the loss of a life and the need for greater awareness and assistance for individuals dealing with similar challenges. The story serves as a reminder of the importance of addressing mental health and financial struggles in caregiving situations to prevent future tragedies.
