The Delaware State Police Homicide Unit has arrested a Harrington man after he killed his wife Sunday morning, according to Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Gary Fournier.
Fournier said at 11:51 Sunday morning, Richard W. Nelson, 69, called the Kent County Emergency Operations Center (9-1-1) to report that he had killed his wife and dog. A Harrington Police Officer was first to arrive at the home in the 100 block of E Lucky Estates Drive. The officer entered the residence through a partially open garage door. Upon entering, the officer found the victim deceased on the floor in a pool of blood. The officer backed out of the residence to wait for responding troopers before further entering the residence. While waiting, Richard Nelson exited the garage and was taken into custody without incident.
When troopers and detectives re-entered the house they confirmed that Sandra M. Nelson, 74 of Harrington, had been stabbed numerous times in the garage. She was pronounced dead by Kent County Paramedics at the scene. She was transported to the Delaware Division of Forensic Science where an autopsy will be performed to determine the exact cause and manner of death. A family dog was also located deceased in a bedroom of the house and appeared to have been stabbed to death as well said Fournier.
Richard Nelson was transported to Troop 3 in Camden where he was charged with Murder 1st, Possession of a Deadly Weapon During the Commission of a Felony, and Cruelly or Unnecessarily Kills or Injures Any Animal. He was arraigned at JP7 and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on $522,000.00 cash bond.