Tragedy struck in the early hours of Thursday in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital, as a 46-year-old man, Patrick Markson, killed his wife and committed suicide.
Investigations revealed that the incident happened at Odede Street, off Tombia Amassoma road, in Yenagoa.
Sources said before committing suicide, Patrick had killed his 35-year-old wife, Hannah Markson, in her sleep with a sledgehammer.
The deceased Markson, who was identified as a civil servant working with the Yenagoa Local Government Area Council, reportedly hit the wife’s head with a sledded hammer several times while in deep sleep, and watched her bleed to death.
After confirming that the wife from the Okotiama community in Gbarain Clan, Yenagoa, was dead, he drank some poisonous substances suspected to be a sniper and laid close to the bleeding corpse of his wife and died.
Findings gathered indicated that the deceased couple blessed with six children together had been having marital issues for some weeks, bothering on proceeds realised from a contract handled by the late Patrick.
The said contract was said to have been influenced by the late Hannah’s family and the wife was very irked that her husband was being reluctant to make full disclosure on money made.
The elder sister to the deceased wife, Mrs. Boufuru Timipre, lamented her cruel death, describing her sister as gentle and had no time for conflicts.
The police spokesman, Asinim Butswat, who confirmed the incident, said investigations had commenced.