‘You can die with me’: 93-year-old man tried to murder wife of 60 years because he ‘did not want to leave her alone,’ police say

A 93-year-old man in Florida was arrested over the weekend for trying to kill his wife of 60 years, telling authorities that he was in pain and planned to kill himself, but did not want to leave her alone. Helmut Viktor Stefan Lockner was taken into custody on Saturday and charged with two counts of first-degree attempted murder, court records reviewed by Law&Crime show

According to a probable cause affidavit, deputies with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office on Oct. 26, 2024, responded to a home in the 7200 block of SW 115th Place in Ocala, Florida, which is about 80 miles northwest of Orlando.

Upon arriving at the address, first responders found the victim outside on the patio. She was “visibly upset and crying” and deputies noticed that she was “actively bleeding” from her left elbow and had clear ligature marks around her neck.

The victim advised authorities that her husband was inside and they made entry.

Lockner was sitting at the dining room table talking on the phone when deputies walked in. The affidavit notes that there was a rolled-up strand of rope atop the table.

Lockner and his wife were separated and deputies took a statement from the victim, who said that she and Lockner had been married and living together for 60 years and that it had been a “normal day” up until he allegedly tried to kill her.

“The victim advised the Defendant was in a lot of pain, like he usually is,” the affidavit states. “The victim advised the Defendant mentioned he wanted to die multiple times, which the victim advised is normal for the defendant to say.”

While the couple were watching television in the living room, Lockner allegedly got up and walked away from his chair while his wife was not paying attention.

“The victim advised she did not notice that the Defendant walked behind her chair while she was still watching T.V.,” investigators wrote. “The victim advised she felt something go around her neck and started choking her. The victim realized the Defendant was behind her trying to strangle her.”

Telling deputies that Lockner was “pulling forcefully on the rope,” the victim said she could feel the rope cutting off her circulation. The victim was able to get her hand between the rope and her neck and escape. She then ran to the patio and called 911.

During the 911 call, Lockner can allegedly be heard in the background saying, “You can die with me.”

Additionally, the victim told investigators that about two weeks earlier, her husband tried to smother her with a pillow in their bed.

“The victim advised the Defendant stated he did not want to leave her alone,” the affidavit states.

After the incident, the victim said she spoke to her husband and believed he would not try to hurt her again.

In a post-Miranda interview, Lockner allegedly corroborated both stories about attempting to kill his wife.

“The Defendant advised he is dying and did not want to leave his wife alone,” the affidavit states. “The Defendant advised he used the rope on the table to strangle her because he was trying to kill her.”

Lockner allegedly continued, saying that he “planned on hanging himself with the same rope after killing the victim.” He added that he was “unsuccessful” with the pillow-smothering attempt and then had a “crazy idea” to try and use the rope.

“I‘ve been at the sheriff’s office for five and a half years and I’ve never seen anything like this,” Sheriff’s spokesperson Zach Moore told Gainesville ABC and CW affiliate WCJB.

Lockner is currently being held in the Marion County Jail without bond. He is scheduled to appear for his arraignment on Nov. 26.

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