A Florida woman is behind bars after allegedly beating her husband to death with a billy club and trying to cover it up by washing blood-soaked evidence in the family’s garage.
Bonnie J. Tietgens, 60, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder and tampering with evidence after deputies in Fort Pierce responded to a call about a possible deceased person late Wednesday night.
When deputies arrived at the couple’s home on Birch Drive around 10:30 p.m., they found 64-year-old William Tietgens dead inside. He had suffered significant head trauma.
According to investigators, Bonnie had called her adult son earlier that evening and told him “Dad is dead.” The son and his sister went to the home, discovered the father’s body, and called 911.
Inside the garage, deputies found Bonnie standing next to a washing machine. A blood-soaked blanket lay nearby, and the washer was fully loaded with bloody clothing and towels. Deputies say she was moments away from starting the wash cycle in an attempt to destroy the evidence.
Authorities believe the weapon used was a wooden billy club. Bonnie allegedly admitted to her son that she struck her husband in the head with it during an altercation.
Neighbors were stunned by the news. One described the couple as generally quiet and said they never expected anything like this to happen. Another said the two had a history of loud arguments and alcohol-related issues.
No official motive has been released. The investigation is ongoing, and Bonnie Tietgens is being held in the St. Lucie County Jail on a $250,000 bond. She is also under a mental health hold while awaiting further legal proceedings.
She looks like a man!!!
Where’s the makeup 💄???????
She looks like a battle axe