PASADENA - An 85-year-old East Pasadena man was behind bars today on suspicion of murdering his 55-year-old wife with a hatchet, according to the Sheriff's Department.

James Che Ming Lu called the sheriff's Temple Station about 1:30 a.m. Sunday and said he had just killed his wife.

When deputies arrived at the couple's home in the 100 block of Rosemead Boulevard, near Colorado Boulevard, they found Michelle Lu dead with multiple stab wounds, according to sheriff's and coroner's officials.

Authorities said the couple's adult son was at home, found his parents fighting and grabbed a hatchet from his father.

The son said his father once worked as a carpenter, which is why he had the hatchet, according to Fox11.

Michelle Lu reportedly worked as a nanny six days a week and was only home on Sundays.

James Lu was arrested on suspicion of murder and is being held on $1 million bail.

Investigators believe the killing was the result of a domestic dispute, Lt. Dan Rosenberg told the Los Angeles Times.