Man who allegedly killed 83-year-old wife said he had ‘dealt with her dementia for too long’
02/25/2026 8:17 pm PST
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. (TCN) -- An 80-year-old man has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder in connection with the death of his wife, 83, authorities say.
WFTV reports that on Feb. 21, according to an arrest report, William Simmons allegedly shot his wife, Nancy Simmons, during an argument about going on a cruise. She was reportedly cursing at him, and he allegedly told her he had had enough and could pull the trigger. When she continued to curse at him, he allegedly pointed a shotgun at her and fired.
People reports officers were dispatched to their residence and Nancy Simmons was pronounced dead at the scene. Detectives secured an arrest warrant for William Simmons on a charge of first-degree murder, and he was taken into custody and booked into the Orange County Jail.
According to WFTV, the arrest report states, “Simmons stated he had dealt with her dementia for too long and stated that he loved the old Nancy, and that he would rather live in prison than deal with her.”
People reports Simmons told investigators he was not acting in self-defense and he was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol. He allegedly said he was guilty and “I do know what happened. I did it.”
Simmons is being held on no bond, according to WFTV.
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