23yo Navy Sailor Kills Wife with Hammer, Sets House on Fire to Kill Baby
A 23 year-old petty officer second-class, George Dodson, has allegedly admitted to killing his wife with a hammer and knife, and to lighting his house on fire in an attempt to kill his one year-old son. Dodson joined the Navy in 2017, and is a second-class petty officer. He worked as an electronics technician for nuclear.
According to People Magazine, the Navy sailor is being held on a $3 million bond in Connecticut. New London Police have charged Dodson with murder, first-degree arson, risk of injury to a minor, tampering with evidence, first-degree reckless endangerment, cruelty to animals, and two counts of criminal attempted murder.
Wednesday evening, 7/20, around 10:30pm, officials responded to reports of a structure fire at the Dodsons’ home. Dodson’s 23 year-old wife (currently unidentified) was declared dead at the scene, and his one year-old son was rescued from a crib on the second floor and transported to a nearby hospital. He allegedly set three different fires in the house and left his son behind, hoping the blaze would kill him. The Dodsons’ two dogs, which were also in the house, managed to escape, and are currently missing.
Dodson was found covered in soot and blood. Police allege that he admitted to the paramedic treating him that he had killed his wife with a knife and hammer. Officials also say that Dodson claimed to have killed his wife out of jealousy.
According to The Day, Dodson apparently told police that, “we opened up our relationship and she found another man she loved more and I could not stand the thought of it, so I killed her.”
Officials allege that Mrs. Dodson’s torso and head showed signs of “significant trauma”, and that George Dodson had what police believed to be self-inflicted injuries on both sides of his neck.
Police have labeled this a domestic violence case. His military status has not yet changed, and Navy spokesperson Lt. Seth Koenig has said that it is still too early to determine what the Navy’s next steps will be.
Photo from New London Police Department
