A 92-year-old man has been charged with the murder of his 89-year-old wife in their Slagelse home in January. The indictment states the alleged crime occurred between December 30th and January 1st, when home care services reported the woman’s death.

Prosecutors allege the man suffocated his wife by pressing a pillow over her face while simultaneously squeezing her neck. He was initially arrested and remanded in custody on January 3rd, but was hospitalized shortly after.

Following his discharge from the hospital, a judge maintained the custody order after a closed-door hearing. However, after a month and a half, the High Court released the man on February 26th, citing his age and the specific circumstances of the case as reasons against pre-trial detention based on the enforcement of justice.

The man is currently undergoing a mental examination. The prosecutor, Charlotte Skovmand, has not yet determined whether she will seek a prison sentence or another sanction, such as placement in a closed forensic psychiatric ward. She also declined to comment on the possible motive behind the alleged murder.

Prosecutors will request that the man be deprived of his inheritance rights from his wife, given their marital status. The man’s defense attorney has not yet commented on the charges. The case will be handled by the Court in Næstved, with hearing dates yet to be scheduled.