An 88-year-old man shot his terminally ill 89-year-old wife to death in bed, and he is now in prison, according to Texas officials.
Ernest Leal is charged with murder in the death of Anita Leal, according to the Galveston Police Department. Around 4:45 a.m. on Monday, officers rushed to the 3200 block of Dominique Drive to assist paramedics with a medical emergency. A medical equipment signaled a potential emergency, prompting first responders to the home.
When they got inside, they discovered Anita Leal had died from an apparent gunshot wound. Ernest Leal told paramedics that he had shot his wife. Police arrested him.
According to Houston NBC station KPRC, the guy told detectives he shot his wife in bed because she had a fatal condition. Further information regarding the incident was not immediately available. Police say the inquiry is still ongoing.
He arrived at his bond hearing on Monday in a wheelchair. A court reduced his bond from $250,000 to $80,000, according to jail records.
He remained in the Galveston County Jail as of Tuesday afternoon.
Those who knew the Leals used social media to mourn her loss. The owner of Flippers Coastal Seafood wrote about the Leals’ last visit to the restaurant.
“During their last visit, they both selected dishes that they typically shared, but this time they chose individual amounts. “My server noticed Mrs. Anita’s frustration as she tried to remember whether she had ordered one or two meals,” the owner stated. “I intervened, reassuring her that it was okay to forget, and Mr. Ernest comfortingly rubbed her back, telling her to let it go.”
The owner believed Anita Leal was suffering from dementia. The post did not specify when the interaction happened.
“This pair, in particular, had a special place in my heart, and it’s sad to see the nasty comments surrounding this tragedy. “I firmly believe that life is valuable, and it is critical that we recognize this fact,” the message stated.
