An Indiana man who called 911 to say his wife had killed herself is now accused of murdering her, police say.
On August 4, Stephen Gower, 53, from Charlestown, told police his wife, Christina, had shot herself with an AR-15 rifle at their home on Charlestown New Market Road, according to court records.
When officers arrived, Stephen reportedly told them, “Take me to jail” and “Shoot me.” He also allegedly said it would be easier to go to jail than to explain what happened to his children.
Christina was found lying in the doorway of the master bedroom with a gunshot wound to the head. Blood was pooled around her, but investigators noticed there were no burns or marks on her skin that would normally happen if a gun was fired at close range.
Stephen told detectives that the night before, he had found messages on Christina’s phone suggesting she was talking to other men and might be having an affair. He said they drank alcohol and fought all night, breaking a chair and light fixture during the argument. He also admitted to grabbing her wrist and damaging the bathroom door during the fight.
Earlier in the evening, Stephen said he took a handgun from the bedroom and held it to his own head, saying he wanted to die and even hoping Christina would pull the trigger. He also admitted to handling an AR-15 rifle that night.
An autopsy on August 5 found the fatal shot came from at least three feet away, making it impossible for Christina to have shot herself.
Stephen was arrested the same day and charged with murder. He has pleaded not guilty and is being held without bond. His next court date is September 16.
