Ex-deputy sheriff’s decomposing body found burned at his home as wife is arrested and insists he ‘set himself on fire’
A WOMAN has been arrested after police discovered her husband’s burnt decomposed body at their home.
Evelyn Henderson, 66, allegedly told authorities that former Dauphin County chief deputy Carmen Henderson, 84, had set himself on fire.
Officials found the body with significant burns at home in Pennsylvania and concluded he had been dead for some time.
His nose and mouth were reportedly filled with maggots, as reported by
According to PennLive, the pair reportedly married for 30 years and had been prominent figures in their local community.
On the night of the alleged incident, Evelyn claimed she had gotten into an argument with Carmen, only to wake up the following day to find him dead on the patio, WHP reports.
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According to a police report, she then provided several inconsistent stories about the nature of her husband’s death and the cause of the fire when later questioned by police.
This reportedly included accounts that Carmen committed suicide, his pants caught fire on accident, and a cigar started the blaze, according to a police report.
As investigators delved deeper into their relationship, they determined that the couple had been in $40,000 in debt, according to WTHM.
The outlet said that at the time of Carmen’s death, the couple were behind on their taxes and had learned that the government would seize their property.
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Police allegedly found that Evelyn had taken out a $10,000 life insurance policy on Carmen amid fears she would become homeless.
The 66-year-old is facing charges of criminal homicide, aggravated arson, and arson resulting in danger of death or bodily injury.
She remains in detention without the option of bail.