COLUMBIA, Mo. — An 88-year-old central Missouri man accused of fatally stabbing his 86-year-old wife told investigators he didn't want the couple to be a burden on their family, according to police. The Columbia Daily Tribune reported that Donald Marvin Rowland was charged Friday with first-degree murder and armed criminal action. The Boone County prosecutor requested cash-only bond of $1 million, but it wasn't clear if Rowland was jailed. Court records didn't list a lawyer.
Columbia police were called Friday afternoon to the couple's home after an adult daughter reported finding them in their bed. Police said in a probable-cause statement that the wife, Betty Rowland, was stabbed in the chest and Donald Rowland had what appeared to be self-inflicted injuries. A neighbor told the newspaper that Betty Rowland had recently suffered a stroke.