Tucson, AZ: Tucson Man Says He Killed Terminally Ill Wife Police: Sanford Garfinkel Also Took Pills To End Own Life

POSTED: 3:47 pm MST December 10, 2009
UPDATED: 4:10 pm MST December 10, 2009

TUCSON, Ariz. -- Police in Tucson said they arrested a man after he told authorities that he killed his 56-year-old terminally ill wife early Thursday.
The incident occurred at about 4:43 a.m. at a home on the 4500 block of East Malvern Street, CBS 5 News reported.
Authorities said 51-year-old Sanford Garfinkel called 911 and said he had killed his wife and had taken pills in an attempt to take his own life.
Officers who arrived at the scene said they entered the home and found Mary Garfinkel dead in the bedroom.
The husband told police his wife was terminally ill. Tucson police Sgt. Fabian Pacheco said officers have not been able to confirm if the woman was ill, but neighbors said the woman was sick and wasn't getting better.
The cause and manner of death are pending autopsy results, police said.
Police said Sanford Garfinkel unsuccessfully attempted to overdose on prescription medication. Authorities said he was taken into custody and transported to an area hospital for treatment where he is expected to recover.
Sanford Garfinkel is expected to be booked on suspicion of first-degree murder upon his release from the hospital.