A Perry man was taken into custody on Monday after allegedly killing his spouse.

According to Perry Police Chief Jim Archer, officers responded to a call that came from a home located on Lucinda Street around 8:40pm on Sunday. The report shows that 75-year-old Richard James Hoesing contacted the department and allegedly admitted that he murdered his wife. Court documents state that Hoesing told officers that she suffered from a bi-polar condition and Multiple Sclerosis, and apparently reasoned that killing her was putting her out of her misery. 

According to court documents, Hoesing told officers that there was a weapon in the bathroom, and when the officers entered the residence, they found the victim on the bedroom floor with severe lacerations across her throat and confirmed her death. Officers then observed a small wooden-handled kitchen knife on the countertop with signs of blood on it. Court documents outline that Hoesing also had blood on his clothing and hands.

Archer tells Raccoon Valley Radio that Hoesing was compliant with officers and was ultimately arrested, being charged with a Class A Felony of murder in the 1st degree. He notes that the incident was an isolated attack and there is no threat to the community, and the case remains under investigation. Archer adds that the Perry Police Department was assisted by the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office, Dallas County Emergency Medical Services, Dallas County Attorney’s Office and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation. Raccoon Valley Radio will bring you more information as it becomes official.