Husband bludgeons wife with sledge hammer, then she dies days later, Florida cops say

UPDATE: Jonathan McPhee died of his injuries Jan. 15, the Largo Police Department told McClatchy News in an email.

The original story is below.

A man called police to say he killed his wife Christmas morning by bludgeoning her with a sledge hammer, but she survived for days before dying of her injuries, officials in Florida said.

Jonathan McPhee, 78, was initially charged with attempted first-degree murder, but the charges were upgraded to first-degree murder after his wife died Dec. 30, the Largo Police Department said.

McPhee bludgeoned his wife with the weapon as she lay in bed on Dec. 25, then he called 911 to say he “clubbed her” and threatened to harm himself as well, Largo police documented in an arrest affidavit filed in Pinellas County.

The man remained in the hospital in critical condition Jan. 2, according to an update from police.

He also texted his wife’s daughter saying he killed his wife because of “financial and health issues,” police wrote in the affidavit. In the message, he also gave her information on the life insurance policy and final arrangements, according to police.

When first responders arrived, they reported finding the husband wounded outside and the wife in bed lying next to a small sledge hammer.

Both were hospitalized in critical condition, but McPhee was able to talk and told medical staff he killed his wife, according to police.

Meanwhile, McPhee’s wife went into surgery for a fractured skull and brain bleed, police said.

Largo is part of the Tampa Bay area.

This story was originally published January 2, 2025 at 2:57 PM.