'I Killed My Wife': New Details Revealed In Fatal Strangling Of Barnegat Woman

BARNEGAT, NJ — A Barnegat man strangled his wife to death and was found with a knife sticking out of his chest more than five hours after doing so, according to court records obtained by Patch.

William Garvin, 67, is charged with murder in the death of his wife Eileen Garvin, 69, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer previously said.

The slaying occurred following an altercation between the two, according to the affidavit of probable cause filed in William Garvin's arrest.

The fatal strangling happened at about 11 a.m., according to the records; police arrived to the house shortly before 4:30 p.m.

William Garvin, with a knife sticking out from his chest, told officers when they arrived "you guys are going to regret coming here," according to the documents. He then pulled the knife from his chest and, when told by officers to drop the weapon, set it down on a cardboard box next to him.

Police went to handcuff William Garvin and saw Eileen Garvin's body on the floor. He told officers "she deserved it," according to court records. Her body was cold to the touch, authorities said.

While he was being taken out of his house, William Garvin shouted to the neighbors "I killed my wife," according to the documents.

He was taken to the hospital where, unsolicited, William Garvin told an officer that he had been upset that his wife had drained his fish pond, according to court records. He confronted her and pushed her into a door, the records said. During the altercation, Eileen Garvin threated to call the police, which caused William Garvin to kill her, according to the documents.

In the hospital, an officer also overheard William Garvin say "is there a better penalty for killing your wife than dying," according to documents.

The couple had been separated for years but were living together, their daughter told officers. Eileen Garvin had filed for divorce this past July, according to the documents. They often fought verbally, but their daughter said it was never physical to her knowledge.

Inside the Garvins' home, officers found an envelope with a hand-written note on it. It was addressed to the couple's two daughters and five other people, and was signed by "Dad and Grandpa," according to the documents.

The note said that he loved everyone and was "sorry things had to turn out like this," according to records. It explained that William Garvin had experienced "outright misery" for a dozen years, describing his wife as a "horrible woman." He asked for forgiveness and said he "thought it was best for all in the long run."

A written note on the front of the envelope said "CREMATE Both of us neither deserves a funeral," according to court records.