53-Year-Old Cook Accused Of Miami Beach Murder

MIAMI BEACH, FL — A 53-year-old cook told Miami Beach police he accidentally stabbed his former wife with one of his kitchen knives some 10 days before officers found her badly decomposed body in the couple's apartment Wednesday night after a three-hour standoff.

Russell Allen Ewing was charged with second-degree murder with a weapon, according to Miami Beach police. He was taken into custody in the 7400 block of Carlyle Avenue, where he lived with his former wife in an apartment.

Court documents said the police standoff began around 6 p.m. Wednesday when a friend of the victim knocked on the apartment door after being unable to reach her by telephone.

The couple had been married, divorced and got back together over a span of 20 years, according to Miami Beach police.

"Upon arrival she noticed a foul odor coming from inside the apartment and flies around the area," court documents said. "

The woman then called police.

"Upon arrival, officers saw the defendant open the front door to the apartment, naked with a knife in his hand," court documents said. "Defendant refused to come out of the apartment."

Police said a hostage negotiator tried calling Ewing several times before he got through. Ewing agreed to surrender.

"Officers entered the apartment and discovered the victim in an advanced state of decomposition on the living room floor underneath a blanket," court documents said.

The victim, who was not immediately identified, was pronounced dead on the scene by Miami Beach first responders.

"Defendant admitted arguing with the victim over finances," according to court documents. "Defendant stated that during the argument he was taking out his kitchen knives from his bag and while holding a knife in his left hand, he turned around to say something to the victim and she got stabbed one time in the abdomen accidentally."

Ewing allegedly told police he got scared and didn't call emergency services.

"Defendant believed this occurred on Oct. 20," court documents added.