Indiana man, 79, tells officers 'just my dog and dead wife' after neighbour calls police

A 79-year-old Allen County man calmly told police "just my dog and my dead wife" after allegedly shooting his spouse. James R. Chelf faces a murder charge.

Indiana man greets officers at door after allegedly shooting wife

James R. Chelf, 79, of Yoder, Indiana, told police officers "just my dog and my dead wife" when they asked if anyone else was inside his home — a calm admission that came after a neighbour had called 911 on his behalf, according to court documents reported by Law & Crime.

Officers arrived at Chelf's residence in the Woodlake Estates Mobile Home Park at approximately 10:15 p.m. on Friday. He allegedly met them at the front door without resistance.

"I just went nuts," Chelf told the responding officers, according to court documents obtained by local ABC affiliate WPTA. "I'm sorry. I have no reason why."

His wife was found inside the home with multiple gunshot wounds and bleeding from her head, WPTA reports. Chelf told officers he had left the weapon — a .38 Special Smith & Wesson revolver — on the dining room table. Investigators recovered the firearm with three spent casings, two live rounds, and one empty chamber.

Before police arrived, Chelf had walked to a neighbour's home and said, "I just shot my wife," according to the court documents. He then asked the neighbour to call 911 and returned to his own residence to wait for officers.

In a subsequent interview with police, Chelf allegedly said he had been arguing with his wife while she worked on a project in their bedroom. He said he could not recall what the argument was about, only that he shot her during it.

"I just lost my mind," Chelf allegedly told investigators.

Chelf was arrested and charged with murder. He was booked into the Allen County Jail and is being held without bond. A trial-setting hearing is scheduled for June 8.

Source: Law & Crime