88-Year-Old Man Accused of Killing Wife and Staging Scene to Make It Look Like She Died by Suicide: Police

An 88-year-old man is facing a murder charge after allegedly killing his wife and staging the scene to make it look like she died by suicide, police have said.

On Sunday, Jan. 26, at around 3:00 a.m. local time, North Port Police Department (NPPD) officers responded to a call in the 2700 block of Halladay Street in the Florida city “regarding a deceased individual and a reported self-inflicted death,” police said in a Facebook post.

“However, following a thorough investigation, in conjunction with the District 12 Medical Examiner’s Office, it was determined that the victim’s death was not the result of a self-inflicted injury, and elements of the scene had been staged by the suspect,” officers added.

Authorities confirmed Miroslav Maksic, 88, had since been charged with one count of homicide in connection to the death of his wife, Miljka Maksic, 76, stating that he’d been booked into the Sarasota County Jail. 

Per online inmate records, the suspect was booked into the jail on Monday, Jan. 27 at around 9:36 p.m. without bond. His arraigning date has been listed as March 14.

NPPD chief, Todd Garrison, said in the Facebook post, “This is a tragic situation, but I’m thankful for the dedicated work of our investigators and the Medical Examiner’s office who worked diligently to quickly uncover the truth.”

“Justice for the victim and loved ones is our top priority, and we remain committed to holding those responsible accountable for their actions,” the chief added.

Per local Fox affiliate WFTX, a family friend made the 911 call after Miroslav alleged his wife had died by suicide.

Officers said they could see the victim’s body through the window, lying in a “supine position in a pool of blood,” the outlet stated, citing a police report. The friend of the family said she had dinner with the couple the night before.

Per the report, police found a .357 Magnum revolver in Miljka’s left hand, despite the 911 caller saying her dominant hand was her right one. It allegedly looked like somebody had tried to wipe up the blood. A towel was allegedly found above the victim’s head.

The suspect was reportedly not home when officers arrived, but when police did speak with him, he allegedly changed his statement “several times,” per WFTX, citing the report. ABC Action News stated he appeared “to be in a state of confusion.”

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WFTX added that the medical examiner said an autopsy revealed the victim suffered from a gunshot wound in the cheek and a fatal shot to the back of the head. The bullet was thought to have been found in the same hand the gun was found in, which the medical examiner said was “inconsistent with the path of the fatal projectile.”

“Several things weren’t adding up … So, as the investigation continued it ultimately [led] to the arrest of the husband in this case,” NPPD’s Josh Taylor said, according to WFTX.

Taylor and the District 12 Medical Examiner’s Office didn’t immediately respond when contacted by PEOPLE for additional information.

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988, text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 or go to 988lifeline.org.