PHOENIX, Aug. 2 (UPI) — A man who police say beheaded his wife and two dogs before turning the knife on himself was released from the hospital and booked into jail on a murder charge, officials said Sunday.
Kenneth Wakefield, 43, is accused of stabbing his wife and dogs to death in a grisly fashion on July 22 — leading one Phoenix police official to call the crime scene “absolutely horrific.”
Officials said he was missing part of his left arm, had apparently gouged out his own right eye, and stabbed himself repeatedly in the chest.
Wakefield was admitted to a hospital for treatment of his injuries, and was released Saturday, NBC News reported.
In addition to Heisch’s death, Wakefield has also been charged with two counts of animal cruelty.
The couple had a history of domestic violence, drug abuse and mental illness, police said.
Investigators are still trying to determine a motive.