Joan Burke Stabs Husband 140 Times In Murder
Joan Burke is a woman from Palm Springs Florida who was just charged with murder after stabbing her husband 140 times. According to police reports they were called to the residence by her son who said he found his stepfather lying on the floor in a pool of blood. When they arrived they found the victim, Melvin Weller, dead from multiple injuries. After the victim’s body was brought to the coroner office they would count the stab wounds which would total 140. Joan Burke was found lying on her bed and refused to talk to police. Joan Burke was arrested and would be charged with murder.
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A Palm Springs woman was arrested on a charge of first-degree murder after she stabbed her husband more than 140 times with a meat cleaver, police said.
According to a Palm Springs police report, Ricardo Green, 41, called 911 on the evening of Feb. 11 to say that he came home from work and found his stepfather, Melvin Weller, 62, lying on the floor in a pool of blood. Green said Weller appeared to be dead.
When officers arrived they located the victim on the floor surrounded by a pool of blood that covered more than half of the kitchen.
Officers noticed blood spatters and smears on the walls, kitchen cabinets and counters. A couple of knives and a meat cleaver were in the kitchen sink.
Officers found the victim’s wife, Joan Burke, 61, lying in bed in the master bedroom. She was alert and conscious but remained mute.
Burke was transported to J.F.K. Hospital to be evaluated.
Investigators found cleaning tools on the floor near the victim’s body. They say the numerous injuries to his body, coupled with the blood stains cast or otherwise spread on the walls, ceiling, counters, and cabinets made it obvious a violent struggle had occurred.
An autopsy revealed the victim suffered more than 140 stab wounds all over his body.
He also had a skull fracture caused by a blow from a meat cleaver to the right rear area of his head.
A tied-up plastic bag was located on the kitchen counter top containing Burke’s bloodstained nightgown and a cell phone.
Investigators at this time believe the cell phone belonged to the victim.
According to an arrest affidavit, Burke had lacerations on the palms of both hands. Investigators said it is common for the offender to have lacerations to the palm of one or both hands when he or she stabs another person.
The repeated stabbings result in blood getting on the knife handle and onto the stabber’s hands, causing the stabber’s grip to slip and lacerate their skin with the blade.
Joan Burke is charged with first degree murder and made her first court appearance on Sunday, February 20, 2022. She is being held without bond.
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A Florida woman has been charged with first-degree murder after police say she allegedly stabbed her husband more than 140 times.Joan Burke, 61, who is being held without bond, appeared before a Palm Beach County judge on Sunday via video conference, according to court documents obtained by CNN affiliate WPTV.CNN has reached out to Burke’s attorney for comment.
In an incident report, officers with Palm Springs Police said they responded to Burke’s home on the evening of February 11 after receiving a call from a man who identified himself as the son of the suspect.
The caller said he had arrived home from work and discovered the body of his stepfather, Melvin Weller, 62, lying on the kitchen floor in a pool of blood. When asked by the 911 dispatcher if anyone else was at home at the time, the caller “paused for several seconds and then said his mother Joan Burke was there,” the report stated.
When officers arrived, they found the victim in a large pool of blood that covered more than half the kitchen floor, according to the report. Investigators also found a mop, a broom and other cleaning tools next to the body.Police said the victim, who appeared to be deceased, had multiple stab wounds and lacerations on his body. Officers noticed blood splatters and smears on the walls, cabinets, and counters of the kitchen. A couple of knives and a meat cleaver were found in the kitchen sink, police said.During a sweep of the home, officers discovered Burke lying in a bed in the master bedroom, conscious and alert but remaining silent, according to the report. She was transported to a nearby hospital for evaluation.An autopsy revealed the victim suffered more than 140 stab wounds and a skull fracture caused by a blow to the head with a meat cleaver, the report said.
In a search warrant executed on the suspect’s home, police were able to recover a garbage bag containing a blood-stained nightgown belonging to the suspect and a cellphone which investigators think belonged to the victim, according to the report. Police said Burke was also found to have lacerations on her hands.A motive for this incident is still unknown. The victim’s family said he was physically disabled at the time of his death.
https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/20/us/florida-woman-charged-with-stabbing-husband-140-times/index.html
