Indian Rocks Beach Man Accused of Killing Wife

An Indian Rocks Beach man told authorities he killed his wife and left her body in a bathtub for two weeks, according to a St. Petersburg Times article. 

According to the article on tampabay.com, David R. Ernst, 45, told a neighbor Thursday that he got into an argument with his wife a week earlier and killed her. The neighbor, Vinnie Carter, called 911, and the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office responded to the call. 

Deputies found the nearly unidentifiable decomposing body of Darlene M. Mayfield, 59, inside the bathtub in Ernst's home at 1916 First St. on Indian Rocks Beach, according to the article. 

The article states that Ernst reported he suffocated his wife two weeks ago during an argument. 

Deputies escorted Ernst to a local hospital Thursday night to get treatment for cuts on his arm and consuming pills. He was guarded by authorities during his stay. 

Ernst was arrested at 8:30 p.m. Friday. The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office has not released a booking image.

Ernst has been charged with felony second-degree murder.