Florida Woman Accused of Stabbing Her Husband More than 140 Times

A Palm Springs woman, 61-year-old Joan Burke, has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder and is being held without bail after allegedly stabbing her disabled husband more than 140 times.

The Palm Springs Police Department says the body of 62-year-old Melvin Weller was found by his stepson, 41-year-old Ricardo Green, on February 11 on the kitchen floor, in a pool of blood. The family explained to investigators that Weller was disabled, struggling to walk, and having poor grip strength.

Officers noticed blood spatters and smears on the kitchen walls, cabinets, and counters. A few knives and a meat cleaver were found in the sink. Cleaning tools were also found near the victim’s body. With the amount of blood and lacerations to Burke’s hands, it was clear to police that a violent struggle ensued.

Police found Burke laying in the master bedroom, alert and conscious, but remained mute. She was taken to JFK Hospital for evaluation according to WPTV.

In a search warrant executed on Burke’s home, police were able to find a garbage bag with a blood-stained nightgown inside, and a cell phone believed to have belonged to the victim according to CNN.

The Medical Examiner’s office has concluded that Weller had been stabbed over 140 times around his body, and he was hit in the head with a meat cleaver.