A Florida man has been charged with attempted murder after allegedly trying to kill his wife on Christmas Day due to “financial and health concerns,” authorities said.
Jonathan McPhee allegedly bludgeoned his wife Aileen McPhee in the head with a hammer while she slept at their home on December 25, according to a criminal complaint obtained by PEOPLE.
Jonathan, 78, then called 911 and told the dispatcher, according to the legal document, “I bludgeoned her and I’m going to try to stab myself in the heart.” »
Police said Jonathan then sent a text message to his wife’s daughter, stating he had “killed her” and was going to kill himself due to “financial and health issues,” the complaint states.
He also explained how to handle funeral arrangements and life insurance, according to authorities.
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When police arrived on scene, Jonathan was discovered outside the house with a “self-inflicted knife wound”. Aileen, meanwhile, was found by authorities inside the house “with serious head injuries.” The hammer that was used to attack him was “located in the bed,” the criminal complaint states.
Jonathan and Aileen were later hospitalized at Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital. While being treated at the medical center, police said Jonathan said, “Let me die.” I killed my wife.
Jonathan was arrested later that morning and charged with attempted first-degree murder, according to prison records.
He is currently in custody as of Sunday, December 29. It is not immediately clear whether Jonathan has a legal representative to comment on his behalf.
Speak with a CBS Affiliate WTSPFamily friend John McCann said of Jonathan: “He is a person who has been very depressed and must have gone through immense pain to cause a sort of psychotic breakdown which would have caused him to attack. “