Ex-Ohio State Professor Allegedly Killed Wife While Giving Massage — and Claimed It Was 'Only Way Out' of Sextortion Plot By Nicole Acosta

A former Ohio State University professor accused of killing his wife claimed to police that he stabbed her and tried to die by suicide after being targeted in a sextortion scheme, police allege.

James S. Hill, 76, is facing an aggravated murder charge in connection with the death of 64-year-old Mary Hill, according to court documents cited by The Columbus Dispatch, ABC6, and Cleveland.com. It’s unclear if James has entered a plea or retained an attorney to speak on his behalf.

Police responded to the couple’s home in Upper Arlington on Nov. 9 after James briefly called 911 asking for help. James allegedly told investigators that a woman he met on a dating site, and with whom he shared nude photos, demanded $15,000 from him, per the court documents cited by Cleveland.com. He claimed the woman threatened to share the photos if he didn’t pay her.

Per court documents obtained by 10TV, James claimed he “could only think of one way out of the situation.”

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James allegedly told police that he stabbed his wife in the chest while giving her a massage and apologized to her as he did it, ABC6 reported, citing court documents. His wife was pronounced dead at the scene.

James, a retired Ohio State University professor, then stabbed himself and remains hospitalized, per ABC6. He is scheduled to be arraigned this week.

If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go to thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.