A 71-year-old man has been charged with reckless homicide following the tragic death of his wife, who allegedly took her own life after he handed her a loaded gun.
Michael Joseph Krupienski is accused of giving the firearm to his 81-year-old wife, Maria, during a moment of crisis on Sunday. According to police, the couple had been drinking at a local VFW before returning home, where Maria reportedly expressed suicidal thoughts.
He said the anniversary of their daughter’s suicide was coming up and that Maria, who was under the influence of alcohol, “made suicidal thoughts out loud.”
Vermilion Police Chief Chris Hartung stated that Krupienski retrieved a .357 Magnum handgun and handed it to Maria, claiming he intended to “call her bluff.” Shortly after, Maria was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, Fox 8 Cleveland reports.
Krupienski was arrested and charged with reckless homicide, a third-degree felony.
He is currently being held without bond at the Erie County Jail and is scheduled for arraignment at the Vermilion Municipal Courthouse on Tuesday morning.
