81-year-old man accused of assaulting, killing wife at Georgia senior living facility

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. (TCD) — Police have arrested an elderly man on suspicion of killing his wife at a senior living facility this week.

According to a news release from the Gwinnett County Police Department, on Tuesday, Feb. 6, at approximately 10 a.m., East Precinct officers responded to Lindwood Estates Gracious Retirement Living at 1611 Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road, where they found 71-year-old Grace Hayden deceased inside one of the rooms. Police detained the victim’s husband, 81-year-old Richard Hayden, who lived with his wife in the room.

Gwinnett County Police Corp. Juan Madiedo told WAGA-TV, “It’s unclear who initially made the 911 call, but we do know the facility was aware of a medical emergency in the room.”

He also said, “It is believed to be a domestic-related incident between the couple that lived in the same room.”

Richard Hayden faces charges of malice murder, aggravated assault, and felony murder.

Officers said Richard Hayden was being evaluated at a local hospital for reasons “unrelated to the incident.” He will be booked into the Gwinnett County Jail upon his release.

The Gwinnett County Medical Examiner’s Office will determine the victim’s cause of death.

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