Wife Justified In Using Deadly Force Against Husband In Durham Home

DURHAM, NH — Investigators from the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office working with New Hampshire State Police and Durham police have determined that Kristin Talcott was justified in using deadly force against her husband, Alexander Talcott, in their home in 2023.

Police responded to the home of Alexander and Kristin Talcott in August at 2:50 a.m. on Bennett Road and found a man with a stab wound to the neck. Durham Fire and EMS did not transport the man after they determined he was deceased. The victim has been identified as Alexander Talcott, 41.

An autopsy was performed by New Hampshire Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Jennie V. Duval, who determined that Talcott died from a stab wound to the neck. She classified the manner of death as a homicide.

Investigators from the state police Major Crime Unit processed the scene, interviewed people involved, and determined that the wife of the victim used a knife to defend herself in an attack by her husband. The office of the Attorney General and the New Hampshire State Police have concluded the investigation into the homicide of Alexander Talcott at his residence in Durham.

Kristin Talcott, also 41, stabbed him during a physical altercation while inside their single-family home. According to investigators, Kristin Talcott claimed she acted in self-defense.

On the morning of the homicide, Kristin Talcott had gone to bed. She had pepper spray with her based on previous interactions with Alexander Talcott, who had allegedly had a deteriorating mental health condition. Alexander Talcott came home and asked to speak to his wife, and they sat on the bed in the master bedroom.

Investigators say that he brandished a “chef's knife” and began to attack his wife. She used pepper spray, which fended him off initially. He regained control of the knife and had his wife against the wall, where she resisted and regained control of the knife, stabbing him in the neck and calling 911.

According to the report:

At about 2:30 a.m. on August 26, Mrs. Talcott called 911 using her cellphone. She was audibly distraught throughout the call, which lasted about eight minutes. Mrs. Talcott reported
her husband had attacked her and was injured and "dying," and she was bleeding. Mrs. Talcott explained that her husband "found out that I was trying to get away" and recounted that
she "got the knife back" and "stabbed him in the neck because he was attacking me." Mrs. Talcott said that she was calling from the bedroom and could see her husband in the bathroom,
but when asked whether he was breathing, she explained, "I can't go in; I'm too scared." The call ended when the police arrived at the house.

Alexander Talcott had been struggling to find employment and had threatened suicide as he became depressed, according to the report. Kristin Talcott discovered financial issues, such as delinquent mortgage payments, that she had not been aware of and attempted to discuss them with her husband.

As the situation deteriorated, his wife began to make arrangements, including gathering information on obtaining a restraining order. Her husband found documents that made him aware of this, escalating the situation.

In the report, it states:

On the evening of August 25, 2023, Alexander and Kristin Talcott were in their Durham home with their three minor children. The couple had been married for 17 years, but in the
months prior to the homicide they had experienced increased marital discord, arising in part from financial hardship facing the family. Also during this time, Mr. Talcott had been acting
increasingly erratically towards his wife, including sending her text messages alluding to his desire to commit suicide. As a result of these issues, Mrs. Talcott actively had explored
separating from Mr. Talcott and living, with the children, with family members in Massachusetts.

Kristine Talcott's use of deadly force against Alexander Talcott was justified, the report said. The findings and conclusions outlined in the report were based on information gathered during the investigation, including witness interviews, the 911 call placed by Kristin Talcott, police reports, photographs, and physical evidence.

As provided in RSA 626:7, I(a), when there is some evidence of self-defense, the State must disprove such defense beyond a reasonable doubt. Based on the investigation of the
homicide, the Attorney General finds that Kristin Talcott was justified in using deadly force for self-defense. As such, no charges will be filed against her in Alexander Talcott's death.

The full 16 page report from the New Hampshire Attorney General's Office can be read here

©Jeffrey Hastings www.frameofmindphoto.com/news