An elderly woman has been charged with shooting her husband, just a day after he was admitted to a care facility. She reportedly carried a cryptic note at the time of the incident.
Harriet Kay Recker was taken into custody on September 12, following the alleged shooting of her 81-year-old husband, Dennis Recker, at a care center on Hilton Head Island in Beaufort County, South Carolina. Dennis had been admitted to the facility only a day earlier.
Authorities now suspect that the 82-year-old’s actions were premeditated, drawing conclusions from witness statements, interviews with family members, and various notes and financial documents found in her possession.
During ongoing court proceedings, it was disclosed that Recker had an ominous note in her purse that corresponded with other notes discovered at her residence.
The note purportedly stated: “To you all, this has just been too much for me, I so wish I could do it with the wonderful family we have, so many good friends.
“We can’t have a life without someone and that someone can’t be me as I am not strong enough or smart enough to do all this,” as reported by WTOC.
Following the investigator’s testimony, the judge found probable cause to advance the case to a grand jury.
The court was informed that Dennis had been placed in the Preston Health Center on Birdsong Way to receive additional care for his deteriorating health.
On the morning of the incident, Recker was taken to the facility by a neighbor. After leaving the couple alone in a room to get another chair, the neighbor reportedly heard a loud noise and rushed back.
Upon returning, the neighbor allegedly witnessed the elderly woman holding a revolver, while Dennis appeared to have a gunshot wound to the chest.
Witnesses reported that Dennis’s final words were, “She shot me.”
Despite the paramedics’ efforts at the scene, Dennis succumbed to his injuries.
Following her arrest, officers reported that the woman requested a lawyer and remarked that Dennis “was a good man,” describing the situation as ‘sad,’ according to the outlet.
Recker was subsequently booked into Beaufort County Jail. She faces charges of murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime.
The incident has left the local community in shock, with neighbors expressing their disbelief.
Ted Dwemoh, a Beaufort County resident who provided pest control services at the couple’s Sun City home, described Recker as helpful and kind.
Ted characterized her as ‘always loving’ and ‘the nicest person in Sun City.’