Man Admits Choking Hospitalized Wife to Death Due to Depression Caused by Caregiving and Hospital Bills

According to court records, a man from the Kansas City area, Ronnie Wiggs, came in court on Monday for a second-degree killing complaint about the passing of his hospitalized wife.

He was assigned to the public defender's office and a bond hearing was scheduled for Thursday with a bond set at $250,000. The public defender's office did not quickly respond to a phone message.

Man Faces Charges in Connection with the Death of His Wife

Wiggs' wife was undergoing a medical procedure at Centerpoint Medical Center when she became not responsive, prompting medical staff to start emergency procedures. Despite their attempts, she was pronounced brain dead, and preparations were made to harvest her organs. She died the next day.

Following the circumstances, Wiggs left the hospital but returned later at the persistence of his wife's son, where he admitted to the wrongdoing in the presence of hospital staff.

He confessed to choking his wife and declared that he covered her nose and mouth to prevent her from wailing. He mentioned depression and financial strain as reasons for his actions, claiming he couldn't cope with caregiving accountabilities and medical expenses.

Wiggs also revealed an earlier effort to kill his wife at a rehabilitation facility, where she woke up and reprimanded him not to do again the act. He admitted to planning another attempt on her life while she was hospitalized but was deterred by the monitoring equipment.

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Man Faces Attempted Murder Charges for Allegedly Choking His Terminally Ill Wife

DeWayne McCulla, aged 45, from Utah, is blamed for trying to end the life of his critically ill wife, Arenda Lee McCulla, while she was in hospital care, in front of her family members, with the aim of "easing her suffering."

Charged with attempted killings, McCulla purportedly choked his wife, who had been suffering from breast cancer, on December 20, 2021. Arenda, aged 47, died the following night due to her extended illness.

According to court documents, McCulla admitted to trying to end his wife's suffering by placing his hand over her neck during her terminal cancer and hospice care.

Family members intervened when they saw her struggling to breathe, pulling McCulla away from her. McCulla reportedly expressed to officers that he would repeat his actions because of his love for his wife.

The reason for the killing charges being filed nearly two years after the circumstances remain ambiguous. If sentenced to first-degree murder, McCulla could face a conviction of 15 years to life imprisonment under state law.

Arenda's struggle with breast cancer started in 2020 and spread to numerous parts of her body, eventually resulting in her death.

Despite undergoing comprehensive medications, including chemotherapy and radiation, her condition continued to deteriorate, causing immense suffering.

Arenda was recognized as a loving mother and active community member, known for her affection for mountain biking and her commitment to volunteering at a youth rehabilitation center.

Her sons expressed their deep love and loss, reflecting on cherished memories and the painful journey of watching their mother battle cancer until her final breath.

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