A Florida man has been charged with attempted murder after allegedly trying to kill his wife on Christmas Day, citing “financial and health issues,” according to authorities.
Jonathan McPhee, 78, reportedly attacked his wife, Aileen McPhee, while she was sleeping by hitting her in the head with a sledgehammer on December 25, as stated in a criminal complaint obtained by PEOPLE... Continue reading here ▶
After the attack, Jonathan called 911 and admitted to the dispatcher, “I clubbed her, and I’m going to try to stab myself in the heart.”
Police said Jonathan also sent a text message to Aileen’s daughter, claiming he had “killed” her and planned to end his own life due to “financial and health issues.” The message included instructions for funeral arrangements and life insurance.
When officers arrived, they found Jonathan outside the home with a self-inflicted knife wound. Inside, Aileen was discovered with severe head injuries, and the sledgehammer used in the attack was found on the bed, according to the complaint.
Both Jonathan and Aileen were taken to Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital for treatment. While at the hospital, Jonathan reportedly told police, “Just let me die. I killed my wife.”
Jonathan was arrested later that day and charged with first-degree attempted murder. He remains in custody as of December 29. It is unclear if he has legal representation to speak on his behalf.
A family friend, John McCann, told CBS affiliate WTSP that Jonathan had been struggling with depression. “He is a person who has been very depressed and must have gone through immense pain to suffer a breakdown that led to this tragic incident,” McCann said.
