Iowa Man Charged with Murder After Calling Cops to Say He Killed His Wife ‘to Put Her Out of Her Misery

Richard Hoesing, 75, called 911 and confessed to killing his wife who suffered from Bipolar disorder and MS, according to police

A 75-year-old Iowa man has been charged with first-degree murder after admitting to killing his wife, allegedly to "put her out of her misery," according to police reports.

Richard Hoesing contacted 911 around 8:45 p.m. on Sunday, informing Dallas County Dispatch that he had killed his 74-year-old wife, Jean Hoesing. Officers responded to the scene on Lucinda Street in Perry, Iowa, where they discovered Jean Hoesing’s body in a bedroom on the main floor. She had suffered a severe laceration across the front of her throat.

According to a criminal complaint, Hoesing stated in the emergency call that he had taken his wife's life due to her struggles with bipolar disorder and multiple sclerosis. Investigators later found a small wooden-handled kitchen knife in the bathroom, which appeared to have been cleaned but still showed traces of blood on the tip. Blood was also observed on Hoesing’s hands and clothing.

Authorities reported that Hoesing cooperated with law enforcement at the scene. He was taken to the Perry Police Department before being formally charged with first-degree murder. Following the charges, he was transported to the Dallas County Jail for booking.