A 62-year-old New Mexico man suffering from dementia allegedly killed and dismembered his wife on Thanksgiving.
Relatives removed the hinges of a door Thursday afternoon to find Karlan Denio in bed and his wife, Connie, dismembered on the floor next to him, the Albuquerque Journal reported. Before the discovery, Denio’s brother, who is from out of town, and his sister had called the police to request a welfare check because they struggled to open the door after arriving for a planned Thanksgiving gathering. The dispatcher said police could not force their way in.
Denio was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia two years ago, relatives told police, according to the Albuquerque Journal. The disease can cause personality changes, emotional withdrawal and other mental health issues. (RELATED: ‘Ferris Bueller’ Star Suffering From Dementia Reportedly Victimized By Longtime Friend)
Man with dementia accused of murdering, dismembering wife on Thanksgiving https://t.co/Gkw7V51vOY pic.twitter.com/M0a1ofGaB6
— New York Post (@nypost) November 27, 2022
Denio has been charged with an open count of murder in his wife’s death. He is recovering from lacerations to his arm and neck, Albuquerque Police Department spokesman Gilbert Gallegos said.
Neighbor Rich Cordova said he was “stunned” because he has lived next to the Denio family for over 20 years and “would least expect” them to experience this tragedy. He called the Denios pleasant people and “nice folks” who have two grown children.
“That is unbelievable,” he told the Albuquerque Journal.