PORTLAND, Tenn. — Authorities have arrested an 81-year-old man on charges of first-degree murder after he allegedly confessed to killing his wife. The incident unfolded earlier this week at the couple’s home on Meadows Road in Sumner County.
According to arrest documents obtained by News 2, deputies were initially called to the residence on Monday for a death investigation. Upon arriving at the scene, deputies noted concerning evidence, including bruising around the neck and blood on the side of the victim’s face.
The deceased was identified as Linda Scrofne, 80. The following day, deputies responded to a call regarding suicidal comments made by Joseph Scrofne. When officers located him driving near the same residence, they detained him for his own safety.
During questioning, Joseph reportedly admitted to killing his wife the day before. “I strangled her,” Joseph Scrofne allegedly told deputies. He is said to have explained that he used a rope to strangle Linda because he believed she was “crazy.”
Joseph further claimed that his wife had fallen multiple times during the night, prompting him to take the drastic step. He allegedly expressed no remorse, telling officers he did not want to go to jail for “doing his family a favor.”
Arresting documents reveal Joseph’s chilling statement, in which he said, “Once he got her in the bed, he thought ‘I might as well kill this b—, right now.’”
He also allegedly said he had intended to kill her and then take his own life. Joseph Scrofne was taken into custody by the Sumner County Sheriff’s Office without incident. He is currently facing charges of first-degree murder in connection with his wife’s death.
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities have yet to release additional details about the case.
