Husband stabs, kills wife and dog in Harrington Sunday morning, calls 911 on himself

A Harrington man was arrested after Delaware State Police said he stabbed and killed his wife and dog Sunday morning.

Richard W. Nelson, 69, called 911 around 11:50 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 21, and told dispatchers he had killed his wife, 74-year-old Sandra Nelson, and dog, according to police.

A Harrington police officer was first to arrive in the 100 block of E. Lucky Estates Drive, within Lucky Estates, off Milford-Harrington Highway. The officer entered the residence through a partially open garage door and spotted the victim, deceased, on the floor in a pool of blood, police said.

The officer backed out of the residence to wait for backup, but Nelson exited through the garage and was taken into custody without incident.

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Police said the victim had been stabbed numerous times. An autopsy will be performed to determine the cause and manner of death.

A family dog was found in a bedroom and appeared to have been stabbed to death as well, police said.

Nelson was charged with first-degree murder, possession of a deadly weapon during the commission of a felony and cruelly or unnecessarily killing an animal. He was committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on $522,000 cash bond.

The Delaware State Police Homicide Unit's investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective D. Grassi at 302-365-8441. Anonymous tips can be submitted through Delaware Crime Stoppers' website or by calling 800-TIP-3333.

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