Police say Gilbert man killed wife, attempted to cover it up
Sep 15, 2017, 3:53 PM | Updated: 8:26 pm
(Maricopa County Sheriff's Office Photo)
(Maricopa County Sheriff's Office Photo)
PHOENIX — A Gilbert man charged with second-degree murder Thursday for allegedly murdering his wife and attempting to make it appear as if she slipped in the bathtub, police said.
Court paperwork said 36-year-old Mark Eric Ponsati called 911 just before 10 a.m. on Sept. 7 to report that his wife had slipped in the bathroom and hit her head.
Ponsati’s wife, whose name was not released, died a short time later at Banner Gateway Medical Center.
Ponsati told police his relationship with his wife was fine, but several family members and friends told investigators the couple had a tumultuous marriage.
They said Ponsati suspected his wife was cheating and had allegedly threatened to kill her if she were to ever leave him.
Investigators found several indications that Ponsati may have tried to stage an accident. Court records said blood had been found away from the bathroom and that the injuries to Ponsati’s wife were not consistent with a lone fall.
She had suffered blunt force injuries, fractures to her skull and ribs, bruising to her spine and brain and a large cut on the back of her head.
Police also said a large puddle of soap found on the floor could not have been caused by a simple spill. Ponsati also washed the clothes he was wearing at the time of the incident.
