An 82-year-old lady suspected of killing her husband at an assisted living home in South Carolina has been granted bond to go to Hawaii.
Harriett Recker is charged with murder in the death of her 81-year-old husband, Dennis Recker. She was also charged with possessing a weapon during a violent incident, according to Beaufort County court records.
The suspect was being held at the Beaufort County Detention Center after being arrested for the September 12 shooting. On Friday, Harriett Recker was given bond on the condition that she “may live with [her] son in Hawaii” but “shall not be released except into [his] custody.” Her bond had been set to $50,000.
According to Savannah, Georgia-based CBS station WTOC, Dennis Recker was taken to Preston Health Center at the Cypress in Hilton Head for treatment on Sept. 11. The next morning, a neighbor brought Harriett Recker to the facility, but when they got to her husband’s room, they realized a chair was missing.
The third party proceeded to get another chair, but as they exited, they heard a huge noise. According to police enforcement, a staff member rushed into the room and spotted Harriett Recker brandishing a pistol and Dennis Recker “clutching his chest.” He appeared astonished and said, “She shot me.”
The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a gunshot at the facility. When officers came, they discovered Dennis Recker had been shot. Harriett Recker was also present, “alongside her spouse,” as Law&Crime previously reported.
According to authorities, the man received emergency medical attention at the institution but subsequently died from his injuries.
During a court hearing last month, authorities explained why they suspected the shooting was preplanned.
Financial data, as well as interviews with witnesses and family members, aided police in developing their idea, but the finding of notes may have been the game changer, according to a local television station.
“To you all, this has just been too much for me; I so wish I could do it with the wonderful family we have, so many good friends,” Harriett Recker allegedly wrote. “He can’t have a life without someone, and that someone can’t be me as I am just not strong enough or smart enough to do all this.”
This note was in her handbag, an identical one was at her house, and a similar one was sent to her neighbor, according to WTOC.
