A 100-year-old New Jersey man who suffered from dementia killed his 88-year-old wife with an ax while she lay in bed before slitting his own wrists in a murder-suicide, according to authorities and relatives.
A motive for the attack remains under investigation, prosecutors said Tuesday. Michael and Rosalia Juskin were found dead at their Elmwood Park home on Monday morning, after an unidentified relative — who wasn't in the home — called authorities.
Family members say Michael Juskin suffered from dementia.
Elmwood Park police tell The Record officers had previously responded to three calls at the couple's home — the latest on Jan. 13 when Rosalia Juskin said her husband was confused and locked her in the basement.
She told police she was having difficulty caring for him and police contacted the county's adult protective services. Authorities said they found nothing at the time to suspect Juskin would violently attack his wife.
Before that, police responded in September 2013 when Rosalia Juskin claimed her husband was harassing her and to a March 2012 911 call when they found him unstable and took him to a hospital for evaluation.
