Harrington man calls 911 to report killing wife, dog

A Harrington man reported himself to police after stabbing his wife and dog to death on Sunday, Delaware State Police say.

Richard W. Nelson, 69, called 911 around 11:51 a.m. Sunday morning, telling the dispatcher he had killed his wife and dog. A responding Harrington Police officer found Sandra M. Nelson, 74, lying on the garage floor in a pool of blood, police said. The officer backed out to wait for backup, and while waiting, Richard Nelson came out and was arrested without incident.

When state troopers and detectives entered the house on the 100 block of E. Lucky Estates Drive, they confirmed that Sandra Nelson had been stabbed multiple times, and found a dog dead in a bedroom, also apparently stabbed, police said.  

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

The Delaware Division of Forensic Science will do an autopsy on Sandra Nelson's body.

E. Lucky Estates Drive is on the east side of Harrington, just north of Route 14.

Police are still investigating, and anyone with information is asked to call Detective D. Grassi at 302-365-8441. Information may also be provided by calling Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333 or going online to delaware.crimestoppersweb.com.