LI Husband Kills Wife, 82, In Failed Murder-Suicide Plan: Police

WANTAGH, NY — A man has been charged in the fatal stabbing of his wife over the weekend at their Wantagh home, police said.

The victim, Mary Heaton, 82, was found dead on the floor at their Oakland Avenue residence after officers conducted a welfare check on Saturday morning, authorities said.

"Anthony Heaton, who's 74 years old, met the officer at the door and announced he had stabbed his wife," said Nassau Homicide Squad Commanding Officer Stephen Fitzpatrick.

The couple, married for 40 years had no history of domestic problems. Heaton was acting as his wife's caregiver for many years. News 12 reported.

He was arraigned Sunday on a charge of second-degree murder.

"Heaton planned to take her life and then commit suicide," Fitzpatrick at a Sunday news conference. "He stabbed her multiple times, strangled her [and] when he caused her death he did not kill himself."