Man Charged With Murder Of Estranged Pregnant Wife: Police

SOUTH FARMINGDALE, NY — Nassau Police on Tuesday arrested a man they say strangled a young mother and nursing student to death in January. The woman's estranged ex-husband killed her on Jan. 15 after learning she was pregnant with the pair's second child and didn't want to pay insurance, police said.

Michael Owen, 27, of St. James, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder after police say he killed Kelly Bretana Owen, 27, of South Farmingdale.

Michael Owen pleaded not guilty to the charge at his Wednesday court appearance, CBS New York reported.

The two married in 2013, had a child and then legally separated in March 2018, police said, CBS New York reported. The two continued to have a physical relationship, and Owen recently learned she was pregnant, according to police. Michael Owen also found himself dating another woman, police said.

"[Michael Owen] did not want this child," Det. Lt. Stephen Fitzpatrick of the Nassau County Police Homicide Squad said at a news conference. "He did not want to give her medical insurance. He had this new relationship that he was involved in, and he was in a bad position."

Fitzpatrick said their marriage started "getting rocky" regarding monetary matters, among other things. In December 2018, an argument about money led to a domestic violence complaint, Newsday reported. Fitzpatrick said no order of protection was issued, according to Newsday.

Kelly Owen moved out in January 2019 and went back to live with her parents in their First Avenue home in South Farmingdale, Fitzpatrick said. She asked her ex-husband to put her on his health insurance as she began nursing school and was going to doctor appointments, Fitzpatrick said. Michael Owen declined, Fitzpatrick said, and he and Kelly continued to argue over finances and insurance coverage.

Fitzpatrick says in early January, Kelly told Michael that she was pregnant and believed the child was his.

"Their arguments escalated in regards to the pregnancy, as well as the insurance information," Fitzpatrick said. "On Jan. 15, our investigation has determined Michael went to that house and strangled Kelly, causing her death."

Michael Owen is a former marine, WCBS 880 reported. He was placed in jail without bail.

Kelly Owen was found dead in the South Farmingdale home Jan. 15, police said. She was not breathing when officers arrived at 3:41 p.m. and pronounced dead at the scene, police said.

Owen, a nursing student, lived with her parents, brother and 6-year-old daughter, police said, NBC 4 reported. She got her daughter ready for school the morning of her death before Owen's father took her to school. Her parents were suspicious when Owen's car was still in the driveway even though she should have been at the school helping out with her daughter's after-school program. They went inside where they found their daughter unresponsive on her bed, police said, according to NBC 4. The medical examiner's office confirmed she was strangled.

Fitzpatrick said the medical examiner also confirmed she was pregnant, Newsday reported.

Kim Hopkins-Donohue, who says her late son, Robert, took Kelly Owen to the prom, told Patch that Owen was a "beautiful person," and that she looks at her picture every day.

"My son Robert had the privilege of escorting Kelly to his prom," Hopkins-Donohue wrote on Owen's ObitTree page. "She was so beautiful and such a lovely person, that is a memory we cherish. He was so proud of her and thought she was an amazing, strong person. Our hearts go out to your family. We hope you find some peace in the days ahead. We will continue to look at the pictures of her beautiful face and be grateful that she was on our path."