An Independence man in Missouri is facing second-degree murder charges after allegedly killing his wife in a hospital. According to Jackson County prosecutors, the tragic incident unfolded on Friday night at Centerpoint Medical Center in Kansas City.
Reports from court records revealed that an off-duty officer was summoned to the hospital’s ICU just before 11:30 p.m. for an assault. Upon arrival, medical staff found the victim, a woman, unresponsive and without a pulse.
Amid the chaos, the victim’s husband, identified as Ronnie Wiggs, reportedly confessed to the medical staff, saying, “I did it, I killed her, I choked her.” This chilling revelation led to Wiggs’ arrest and an investigative hold for first-degree domestic assault before being taken into custody by Independence Police.
During police interrogation, Wiggs admitted to strangling his wife and later returning to the hospital with a relative, where he allegedly confessed to the relative and hospital staff about his heinous act. Shockingly, Wiggs disclosed that this was not the first attempt on his wife’s life, as he had tried to kill her on two prior occasions during hospital visits.
According to court records, Wiggs stated his motive for the tragic event stemmed from depression and financial struggles, leading him to believe he could no longer care for his wife or cover her medical expenses. The victim had been at the hospital for a medical procedure to receive a new port for dialysis.
Currently, Wiggs remains in police custody under a $250,000 bond as the legal proceedings continue in this heartbreaking case of domestic violence turned deadly. The community remains shaken by the senseless tragedy that unfolded within the confines of a place meant for healing and care.