A man from Missouri is facing second-degree murder charges following the alleged killing of his wife while she was undergoing medical treatment at a local hospital. The incident took place at the Centerpoint Medical Center located in Independence.
According to a statement of probable cause, the hospital staff initially reported the woman to be alert on Friday. However, she was found unconscious shortly thereafter. She was immediately rushed to the intensive care unit, where it was determined that she had no pulse or brain activity.
The hospital staff observed suspicious injuries on the woman, including redness around her neck and a fresh wound on her throat. The authorities reached out to the woman’s husband, Ronnie Wiggs, regarding her condition. Wiggs claimed he had no transportation, leading to the victim’s son agreeing to transport him to the hospital.
Upon arrival at the hospital, Wiggs allegedly confessed to the victim’s son and a nurse that he was responsible for his wife’s condition. He specifically stated, “I did it, I killed her, I choked her.” Following this confession, the police took Wiggs into custody. During an interview, he admitted to choking his wife and covering her mouth to prevent her from screaming. Wiggs also revealed that he had attempted to kill her on two previous occasions.
Detectives disclosed that Wiggs cited depression and financial difficulties as his motivation for the murder. He claimed he was unable to care for his wife any longer or afford the accumulated medical bills.
The victim was pronounced dead the following morning. On Saturday, the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office charged Wiggs with second-degree murder. He is currently being held at the Jackson County Jail on a $250,000 bond.
The authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident. The hospital staff’s alertness to the suspicious injuries played a crucial role in uncovering the alleged murder. As the case unfolds, more details are anticipated, shedding light on the extent of the couple’s troubled relationship.