An 80-year-old man in Maryland has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder for allegedly killing his wife with a hammer, screwdriver, and knife following an argument about his doctor.
Vivian Stewart Nation is accused of fatally attacking Beverly Fletcher, his wife of 13 years, inside their apartment at a senior living community in Montgomery County, Maryland.
The Incident
According to Montgomery County Police, the incident occurred on Saturday evening, around 6 p.m., when officers were called to Leisure World, a senior living community in the area.
Upon arrival, security officers led them to the third-floor apartment where they discovered Fletcher’s lifeless body. She had sustained multiple stab wounds and possible blunt force trauma, which ultimately led to her death.
Investigators found a knife, screwdriver, and a hammer in the apartment, all of which were suspected to have been used in the attack. The murder was determined to have been committed with sharp force injuries, likely from the knife, and blunt force trauma, possibly caused by the hammer.
The Argument
Reports suggest that the murder took place after an argument between the couple over a situation involving Nation’s doctor. The argument escalated, and the tragic outcome resulted in Fletcher’s death.
The couple had been married for 13 years, and there are reports that their relationship appeared to be generally stable prior to this incident.
Mental Health Concerns
Nation, who is said to have cognitive issues, appeared in court on Monday for a bond hearing. During the hearing, it was revealed that Nation had a history of health issues, including two strokes before the incident.
Montgomery County State’s Attorney John McCarthy stated that the judge ordered a mental health evaluation for Nation, as it was evident that cognitive decline could have played a role in the crime.
“There may be some cognitive issues involved in this case,” McCarthy explained. The presiding judge agreed with the assessment and scheduled the mental health evaluation as part of the investigation.
Family Impact
The families of both Nation and Fletcher are described as being extremely close. WUSA reported that one family member of the suspect described themselves as both a family member of Nation and a best friend of Fletcher, highlighting the personal connections between the two families.
Next Steps
Nation is currently in police custody, and his next court appearance is scheduled for next week, when an update on his mental health evaluation will be provided. This will likely influence the direction of his trial and any potential defenses.
