Florida Woman Beats Husband to Death With Billy Club, Then Tries to Wash Away Evidence in Washing Machine: “Dad Was Dead”
FORT PIERCE, FL — A Florida woman was arrested after allegedly beating her husband to death with a wooden billy club and then trying to cover up the murder by running a load of bloody laundry, according to the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office.
“Dad Was Dead”
Deputies said Bonnie J. Tietgens, 60, was taken into custody Wednesday night and charged with second-degree murder and evidence tampering after her husband, William Tietgens, 64, was found dead inside their home on Birch Drive in Fort Pierce.
At about 10:30 p.m., deputies responded to a 911 call from the couple’s adult children, who said their mother had phoned earlier in the evening to tell them bluntly that “Dad was dead.”
When they arrived at the house, the siblings discovered their father unresponsive on the floor and immediately contacted law enforcement.
“She admitted to striking him in the head with a wooden billy club,” Sheriff Richard Del Toro told reporters. “The injuries were severe, and lifesaving efforts were unsuccessful.”
The Washing-Machine Cover-Up
When deputies began searching the property, they found Bonnie in the garage, standing beside a washing machine that was fully loaded and about to start.
“She was literally pressing the start cycle,” Sheriff Del Toro said. “Next to her was a blood-soaked blanket on the floor. Inside the machine were blood-stained clothes and towels.”
Investigators believe she was attempting to destroy forensic evidence before deputies arrived.
“They Had a History of Drinking and Fighting”
Neighbors told local outlets WPBF and WPTV that the couple’s marriage had long been turbulent.
“They definitely had their history — drinking and fighting,” one neighbor said. “It was kind of a common occurrence for years.”
Another neighbor, who often saw William walking his golden retriever, said the crime was “a total shock.”
“He was friendly. Always said good morning. You never think something like that’s happening behind closed doors.”
Investigation Ongoing
Authorities have not yet determined a motive for the killing. The sheriff’s office confirmed that Bonnie Tietgens is being held at the St. Lucie County Jail on $250,000 bond and remains under a mental-health hold pending further evaluation.
The homicide investigation is still active. Detectives are awaiting final autopsy results and additional forensic testing from the crime scene.
Would you consider this a crime of passion or cold-blooded murder? Share your thoughts in the comments on FatCityFeed.com.
