85-year-old Admits to Fatally Stabbing Wife After Fight in Wright County
Photo via Wright County Jail
An Annandale man has been charged with second-degree murder after allegedly stabbing his wife to death following an argument in their home Sept. 12.
According to a criminal complaint filed in Wright County, Rodney Allen Andersen, 85, called 911 at about 9:54 a.m., telling dispatchers that he had stabbed his 82-year-old wife and placed the knife in the sink. He was unsure if she was still alive.
When officers from the Annandale Police Department arrived at the residence, Andersen was found seated inside the front entrance on the steps with his hands on his head.
Officers went inside and found Andersen’s wife lying on her back in the kitchen. Blood was around her body and her shirt was soaked with blood, the documents said. Officers attempted CPR but were unsuccessful. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics, who noted multiple stab wounds to her abdomen.
Andersen was taken into custody and later told police that he and the victim had been married for over 65 years but argued constantly. He told officers that their latest argument began at around 7 a.m. and escalated until he "lost his head." Andersen admitted to grabbing a knife from the kitchen and stabbing the victim, though he could not recall how many times.
Andersen was transported to the Annandale Police Department, where Andersen was interviewed. Officers recovered a large kitchen knife with what appeared to be blood on it in the sink.
If convicted, Andersen faces up to 40 years in prison for second-degree murder. He remains in custody at the Wright County Jail.
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