Police: Conn. man gives up after abducting ex-wife

By EVERTON BAILEY Jr., Associated Press Writer1 hr 36 mins ago

SOUTH WINDSOR, Conn. – An advertising executive — who vowed he wouldn't be divorced until his ex-wife was dead — kidnapped her from a parking lot and called for a priest to give her last rites before setting theirhouse on fire during a 13-hour standoff, police said.

Richard Shenkman gave up about midnight Tuesday as flames destroyed the South Windsor house he once shared with Nancy Tyler. The fire ignited about an hour after Tyler escaped, a handcuff dangling from one wrist.

Police said they don't know how the fire began, but believe it was set by Shenkman. Police cut power to the suburban Hartford neighborhood and fired nonflammable tear gas canisters and flash grenades after Tyler emerged from the house, police Cmdr. Matthew Reed said.

A bomb squad had been on the scene since the standoff began Tuesday morning. There was no confirmation of explosives in the house even though there were indications, such as "some wires and some other odd items."

Reed said Shenkman had made several demands during the standoff, but he wouldn't elaborate. The Day newspaper, of New London, reported that Shenkman wanted a priest to come give Tyler her last rites and asked that Judge Jorge Simon, who presided over the couple's divorce case, remarry them. A priest came to the scene.