A Greenfield man charged with killing his wife said she wanted him to end her suffering.The body of Jamie Ward, 50, was found last Wednesday at a home at the 4700 block of West Maple Leaf Circle in Greenfield.Her husband, Braeden Ward, 48, was arrested after a police standoff in Franklin.He was charged Friday with first-degree intentional homicide with a deadly weapon.The medical examiner said Jamie Ward was dead for two weeks before her decomposing body was found.She was last seen May 4, the day her husband said he killed her.A family member called the police asking them to conduct a welfare check on Jamie Ward.According to a criminal complaint, that person told police Braeden Ward said he cut his wife’s throat 10 days prior and her body was still in their home.When officers went to the home, they said they called the suspect and he admitted to helping his wife end her life.Braeden Ward said the victim suffered from chronic pain for 20 years and he could not help her.”He stated that the victim had gone into the shower, sat on the shower stool facing the window, and the defendant stated that he then stabbed her in the neck and she died approximately four minutes later,” the complaint stated.Braeden Ward told police he stabbed his wife in the lower back, right leg, inner thigh and stomach after she died to drain the blood from her body, the complaint said.Police said they entered the home and found Jamie Ward sitting upright in the bathtub.Investigators said they found a large kitchen knife on a shelf in the bathroom.An autopsy showed Jamie Ward died from a cut to her neck.The suspect told officers when his wife asked him to help her end her life, he suggested using a gun but she did not want to wait for the purchase to go through.After her death, Braeden Ward told police he washed his wife’s body daily after it began to smell.Police said Jamie Ward’s death was a result of domestic violence. Braeden Ward remains in the Milwaukee County Jail on $1 million cash bail.If convicted, he faces up to life in prison.The suspect was scheduled for another court appearance on May 31.Anyone who is a domestic violence victim can call 911 if they are in immediate danger or contact the Sojourner Family Peace Center 24 hours a day at 414- 933-2722 or text at 414-877-8100. All calls are confidential.
A Greenfield man charged with killing his wife said she wanted him to end her suffering.
The body of Jamie Ward, 50, was found last Wednesday at a home at the 4700 block of West Maple Leaf Circle in Greenfield.
Her husband, Braeden Ward, 48, was arrested after a police standoff in Franklin.
He was charged Friday with first-degree intentional homicide with a deadly weapon.
The medical examiner said Jamie Ward was dead for two weeks before her decomposing body was found.
She was last seen May 4, the day her husband said he killed her.
A family member called the police asking them to conduct a welfare check on Jamie Ward.
According to a criminal complaint, that person told police Braeden Ward said he cut his wife’s throat 10 days prior and her body was still in their home.
When officers went to the home, they said they called the suspect and he admitted to helping his wife end her life.
Braeden Ward said the victim suffered from chronic pain for 20 years and he could not help her.
“He stated that the victim had gone into the shower, sat on the shower stool facing the window, and the defendant stated that he then stabbed her in the neck and she died approximately four minutes later,” the complaint stated.
Braeden Ward told police he stabbed his wife in the lower back, right leg, inner thigh and stomach after she died to drain the blood from her body, the complaint said.
Police said they entered the home and found Jamie Ward sitting upright in the bathtub.
Investigators said they found a large kitchen knife on a shelf in the bathroom.
An autopsy showed Jamie Ward died from a cut to her neck.
The suspect told officers when his wife asked him to help her end her life, he suggested using a gun but she did not want to wait for the purchase to go through.
After her death, Braeden Ward told police he washed his wife’s body daily after it began to smell.
Police said Jamie Ward’s death was a result of domestic violence.
Braeden Ward remains in the Milwaukee County Jail on $1 million cash bail.
If convicted, he faces up to life in prison.
The suspect was scheduled for another court appearance on May 31.
Anyone who is a domestic violence victim can call 911 if they are in immediate danger or contact the Sojourner Family Peace Center 24 hours a day at 414- 933-2722 or text at 414-877-8100.
All calls are confidential.
