Ronnie Wiggs, a resident of Independence, Missouri, faced second-degree murder charges for the tragic death of his wife. Prosecutors revealed that he confessed to the police about strangling his wife while she was hospitalized for dialysis, citing his inability to care for her or handle her medical expenses as motives.
The incident unfolded at Centerpoint Medical Center in Independence, where Ellen Wiggs, 72, was undergoing treatment. Initially alert and oriented, Ellen’s condition took a dire turn when a “code blue” was called, indicating cardiac or respiratory distress. She was found unresponsive with no pulse, displaying suspicious injuries inconsistent with resuscitation efforts.
Despite efforts to revive her, Ellen suffered irreversible brain damage and was declared deceased the next day. Hospital staff, preparing to harvest her organs, overheard Ronnie admitting to the crime, saying, “I did it, I killed her, I choked her.”
Ronnie had left the hospital but returned with a relative upon learning of his wife’s condition. During police interrogation, he confessed to strangling Ellen, explaining his actions as a result of depression and financial strain. Shockingly, he admitted to previous attempts on her life, once at a rehabilitation facility and another time while she was hospitalized.
The heartbreaking tragedy sheds light on the complexities of caregiving and the dire consequences of untreated mental health issues.
