A Missouri man is facing a second-degree murder charge after police say he allegedly strangled his wife in her hospital bed at HCA Midwest Health's Centerpoint Medical Center, the Jackson County Prosecutor's Office said May 4.
The incident occurred at the Independence, Mo.-based hospital's intensive care unit May 3. The victim, who was at the hospital to get a new port for her dialysis, was found unresponsive in her room around 8:30 p.m., according to a probable cause statement.
Hospital staff immediately initiated a "code blue" and resuscitated the patient. However, she had no brain function and was taken off life support May 4.
The defendant, Ronnie Wiggs, told police he killed the victim because he could not take care of her anymore or pay her medical bills. He is being held on a $250,000 bond.
Editor's note: Becker's has reached out to Centerpoint Medical Center for comment and will update the article if more information becomes available.