A man has been arrested for allegedly murdering his wife with a hammer, screwdriver, and knife after an argument at their senior living community home in Maryland, according to police.
The Montgomery County Police Department announced that Vivian Stewart Nation, 80, had been arrested and charged with the first-degree murder of his wife, Beverly Fletcher, 78.
Officers responded to 3310 North Leisure World Boulevard in Montgomery County around 6 p.m. on Saturday, first meeting with security officers of Leisure World, described as a “gated community offer[ing] a maintenance-free lifestyle convenient to all of the civic and cultural attractions of the greater Washington region” for those 55 and older.
Officers say they were led to Nation’s room, where they spoke with him and discovered his wife’s body. She had multiple stab wounds “and possible blunt force trauma,” and was pronounced dead at home. The cause of death was identified as “multiple sharp force injuries.”
According to court documents reviewed by Washington, D.C., Fox affiliate WTTG, a knife and screwdriver containing “suspected blood” were discovered inside their third-floor apartment in a high-rise building, along with a hammer suspected of being used to choke the victim.
The killing is believed to have occurred following an argument between the married couple over a situation involving Nation’s doctor. They had reportedly been married for 13 years.
Nation appeared in court on Monday for a bond hearing, and the judge ordered him to get a mental health evaluation.
“It is fairly apparent to those who have had contact with Mr. Nation that there may be some cognitive issues involved in this case,” Montgomery County State’s Attorney John McCarthy told reporters, alluding to the judge’s order. He also claimed Nation suffered “a couple of strokes” prior to his wife’s death.
WUSA reported that the suspect and victim’s families were extremely close.
“One individual that we met with described herself as a family member of the defendant but best friend of the victim,” McCarthy said at the same press conference. “So there is clearly [a] relationship between these families.”
“There appeared to be a very good relationship between both the victim’s family and the defendant’s family,” she said.
Nation is expected back in court next week for an update on his mental health evaluation.
