A Utah man admitted to trying to kill his terminally ill wife, who was in hospice care, in front of her family. The purpose was to “alleviate her suffering” during her battle with cancer.
Dwayne McCullough, 46, pleaded guilty Thursday to attempted manslaughter after taking a deal from prosecutors for allegedly strangling his wife, Arenda McCullough, 47, police reported. court documents.
Alenda McCullough was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma breast cancer in 2020.
In October 2021, Arenda's cancer had spread to her neck, brain, lungs and liver and was considered terminal, according to a GoFundMe page set up by her son Anthony Ryder.
Despite undergoing multiple rounds of radiation therapy in a last-ditch effort to combat the deadly disease, she was placed in hospice care at her home in La Verquin, a small town in southwestern Utah.
Arenda McCullough was suffering from “radiation burns that left her with sores and blisters in her throat, making it impossible for her to eat,” her son posted in an update on Dec. 14, 2021, six days before her mother's death. .
Dwayne McCullough and six family members were sitting next to Arenda on Dec. 20, 2021, when Arenda began strangling her, according to a probable cause arrest affidavit. . obtained By Post.
A distraught husband had to separate his terminally ill wife from several family members, who told investigators she was choking and “gasping for air.”
Arenda passed away the next night after a long illness.
“She didn't die with dignity,” Ryder said. KSL In December.
Ryder filed a police report regarding McCullough's actions in 2022, and an investigation was launched.
La Verquin police officers said in an arrest affidavit that McCullough admitted to trying to end the life of his wife, who was in hospice care.
“During a conversation with Dwayne McCullough, he admitted that he placed his hand on the neck of the victim, Arenda, who was dying of cancer and was in hospice care in an attempt to ease her suffering,” detectives said. stated in court documents.
“He said he turned his head towards her face, put one hand in her neck next to her carotid artery, and pushed hard enough to relieve her suffering and speed her death.”
The husband admitted to investigators that he was taken away by his family, but “I would do it again because I love my wife.''
According to state law, McCullough was charged in December with attempted murder and could face up to 15 years to life in prison if convicted.
However, on Thursday in Utah's 5th District Court, he pleaded guilty to attempted manslaughter, a third-degree felony. court documents.
Mr. McCullough now faces up to five years in state prison. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for December 12th.
the rider said KSL That he opposed the plea deal.
He is scheduled to address the court at the sentencing hearing.
