Man accused of decapitating wife, dogs and then mutilating himself

Phoenix police say 43-year-old Kenneth Dale Wakefield was booked into Maricopa County jail Saturday afternoon on one count of first-degree murder and two counts of animal cruelty.

A Phoenix man suspected of decapitating his wife and mutilating himself last week was transferred Saturday from a local hospital to Maricopa County jail, where he was charged with first-degree murder, Phoenix Police said in a Sunday. Two dogs were also found dead inside the house. According to family, the two met and married after meeting in a mental health facility.

Officials said he was missing part of his left arm, had apparently gouged out his own right eye, and stabbed himself repeatedly in the chest.

The grisly scene was discovered July 25 by a neighbor who went to check on Heisch and said Wakefield came to the door naked, covered in blood.

Heisch was found in a bedroom closet with the dogs.

Investigators say both the suspect and victim have a history of mental illness, domestic violence and drug abuse.

Wakefield spoke with police officers outside the apartment and indicated that he “killed three family members”, Crump said. The suspect was arrested after being taken to the hospital.