San Bernardino, CA: Wife Stabbed by Husband Dies Two Days Later

SAN BERNARDINO – A woman stabbed by her husband at home on Sunday died two days later at a nearby hospital, police said.

Police arrested Duane Magee, 50, of San Bernardino after he called the emergency number to say he had stabbed his wife over marital problems, said Lt. Paul Williams. Velda Magee, 56, died at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center in nearby Colton. Police, who have investigated several homicides this year, reached its 37th with her death.

Police arrived at the Magee’s home in the 3200 block of North Greystone Rd., discovering both the husband, who was arrested immediately, and the wife suffering from multiple stab wounds. The knife apparently used in the crime was recovered, said Williams.

Williams said dispatch had received a call at 4:25 p.m. on Sunday from the suspect. He said the stab wounds suffered by Velda Magee “were severe.” She was taken to the hospital where she underwent immediate surgery, but the wounds were too severe, said police. Velda Magee died at the hospital on Tuesday.

Williams said the district attorney will review the case against Duane Magee, who had the charges updated from attempted murder to murder after his wife’s death, on Wednesday. Duane Magee was taken and booked at West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga.

Williams reported that two other murders took place over the weekend which, counting Velda Magee’s death, bring the total number of San Bernardino homicides to 37 in 2012.