Estranged Husband Charged In Slaying Of Winsted Business Owner

WINCHESTER, CT — A Winsted man is accused of murdering his estranged wife, the owner of a local business who had recently gotten a protective order against him.

State police said they charged Leon Stetson, 67, on Thursday with murder, home invasion, and violation of a protective order in connection with the slaying of Carrie Stetson, 54.

Leon Stetson, who is a patient at Hartford Hospital following a suicide attempt, was arraigned via a virtual court proceeding on Friday, according to police. He was unable to post a court set cash/surety bond of $3 million.

Police were summoned on June 8 to the victim’s home at 222 Oak St. in Winsted around 9:41 p.m. A witness saw blood inside and contacted authorities, court documents show.

When officers entered the residence, they found Carrie Stetson deceased and Leon Stetson seriously injured. He was transported to Hartford Hospital via Life Star helicopter.

The state police Western District Major Crime squad responded and assumed the investigation.

Court documents show there was an active protective order against Leon Stetson since April, following a prior domestic incident. The victim had reported that he had become physically abusive and she feared for her safety, documents show. Police charged Leon Stetson with disorderly conduct, interfering with an emergency call, and second-degree criminal mischief after the April 15 incident, records show.

According to an arrest warrant affidavit in the homicide case, Stetson confessed at the hospital and told investigators he tried to kill himself.

A knife was found at the scene, according to the warrant. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner said Friday the victim died from sharp force injuries to the neck and torso, and her death was ruled a homicide.

Carrie Stetson was the well-known owner of Railway Cafe in Winsted. Since her death, the community has been expressing condolences to her loved ones on Facebook, with friends describing her as caring, compassionate and upbeat.

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