Foster City Man Pleads Not Guilty to Murdering Wife of 70 Years

A 93-year-old man, who is charged with killing his wife and then cutting himself with a knife before calling police two months ago, pleaded not guilty to murder and related charges Friday in a San Mateo County courtroom.

On June 13, at 8:06 p.m. Foster City resident Wayne Bair called 911 to report that he was having trouble breathing, according to prosecutors.

When police arrived at the residence, located in the 200 block of Spinnaker Street, officers found Bair in his bedroom on the floor with his wife, 90-year-old Helena Bair, lying on the bed dead, prosecutors said.

PREVIOUSLY

• Elderly Man Injured, Wife Killed in Attempted Murder-Suicide
• 93-Year-Old Man Who Allegedly Stabbed Wife To Death Remains Hospitalized After Stabbing Self
• 93-Year-Old Man Charged with Murder For Wife’s Stabbing

Bair had fatally cut his wife’s throat with a large kitchen knife and then made superficial cuts to his own neck, according to prosecutors.

The two had been married for approximately 70 years and they had no known financial, physical or mental health issues, prosecutors said.

The motive for the murder remains unknown.

“It’s a sad case. He’s a good man who had a good life and a very happy marriage,” Bair’s defense attorney Charles Smith said. “It’s inexplicable and we’re still trying to find out what happened.”

Bair will next appear in court on Sept. 9 to set a preliminary hearing date.