93-year-old dying man allegedly tried to strangle and suffocate wife of 60 years

MARION COUNTY, Fla. (TCN) -- A 93-year-old dying man stands accused of trying to kill his wife of 60 years two times in one month because he didn't want to leave her alone.

According to an arrest affidavit from the Marion County Sheriff's Office, on Oct. 26, a deputy responded to a home in reference to a domestic battery incident and spoke with the victim, who was "visibly upset and crying." The responding deputy entered the residence and observed the victim's husband, Helmut Lockner, talking on the phone with a strand of rope rolled up near him.

Per the sheriff's office, the victim said it "was a normal day for her" and her husband. Lockner reportedly claimed he was "in a lot of pain like he usually is" and "mentioned he wanted to die multiple times, which the victim advised is normal" for him to say.

Lockner's wife told the responding deputy while the couple was watching television, she had felt something around her neck. Lockner had allegedly walked up behind his wife and attempted to strangle her. The victim said her husband was "pulling forcefully on the rope to the point she felt like her blood circulation was being cut off." The responding deputy noticed injuries on her neck consistent with ligature strangulation.

Lockner's wife purportedly fought back and was able to escape and call 911. While on the phone, the dispatcher allegedly overheard Lockner say, "You can die with me."

According to the sheriff's office, the victim said her husband had also tried to suffocate her with a pillow approximately two weeks prior, but she was able to get her husband to stop.

During an interview, Lockner reportedly told authorities "he is dying and did not want to leave his wife alone." Deputies said he admitted he had tried to fatally strangle the victim, and he planned to hang himself with the same rope he used. He also allegedly confessed to trying to suffocate and kill the victim with a pillow on or about Oct. 12.

Lockner remains held in the Marion County Jail on two counts of attempted first-degree murder.

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