Over the years, there have been several high-profile court cases and stories, about celebrities who have been involved in murders. Within that group, there remains yet another group, full of people who killed one of the closest people to them in the world: their spouse.
While the circumstances vary, many of these crimes were extremely violent and unnecessary. Here are the stories of celebrities who killed their spouses.
1. Chris Benoit
Benoit was a well-known Canadian professional wrestler who worked from the ‘80s to the mid 2000s.
On June 22, 2007, he murdered his wife Nancy by strangulation. And he also strangled their 7-year-old son to death at their home in Georgia. Two days later, he hanged himself.
According to reports, Benoit may have had severe undiagnosed mental issues due to years of untreated concussions.
2. Earl Hayes
Hayes was an up and coming rapper, and his wife Stephanie Mosley was a dancer who had appeared on VH1 reality show, Hit the Floor.
In 2014, police found the pair dead when they were called to their apartment in Fairfax, California after gunshots were heard. It was later ruled that Hayes shot Mosley and then killed himself.
Apparently, the couple had been arguing about an affair Moseley was allegedly having with singer.
3. Robert Blake
Blake, who began his acting career as a little rascal, went on to have a very successful career in the acting industry.
In 2001, He was tried and acquitted for the murder of his second wife Bonnie Lee Bakley. According to reports, Bakley was shot to death while sitting in a car waiting for Blake.
Later in November, 2005, he was found liable for the wrongful death of Bonnie Lee Bakley, and was required by the courts to pay $30 million to Bakley’s children.
4. Michael Jace
Jace is an American actor who is well known for his work on the FX drama, The Shield.
Jace gunned down his wife, April Jace, on May 29, 2014 in the couple’s Los Angeles home. He shot her while his two young sons watched.
Apparently, April wanted a divorce and Michael Jace spent the day texting her to try to find out who she was having an affair with. Then, he calmly called 911 and told authorities he shot his wife.
During his trial, Jace pleaded not guilty for the crime. But ultimitly He was sentenced to 40 years in prison.
5. Russell Neal
Neal was a member of the R&B group, Hi-Five, which found success during the 90s with their popular single “I Like the Way (The Kissing Game).”
In 2014, he was arrested and charged with the murder of his wife, after walking into a local police station and announcing that she was dead.
The woman was then found stabbed to death, and the couple’s two children were placed in the custody of Neal’s mother-in-law.
6. William S. Burroughs
William S. Burroughs was a novelist and short story writer who was also known by the pen name William Lee.
In 1951, Burroughs accidentally shot and killed his wife, when he was attempting to shoot an apple on top of her head while drunk.
After serving his time, he got out and actually said the death of his wife allowed him the inspiration to write poetry.
7. O.J Simpson
During the 90s, former football star, O.J. Simpson found himself in one of the most high-profile murder cases the county has seen in years.
After being accused of killing his wife and her friend, many people in the public found themselves disgusted with Simpson.
Although most of the evidence pointed directly at Simpson, he maintained his innocence. And thanks to the tireless work of his attorneys, Simpson was found not guilty.
8. Gig Young
Academy Award winning actor, Gig Young, was also well known as an entertainer.
In 1978, Three weeks after the then 64-year-old actor married 21-year-old Kim Schmidt, the pair were found shot to death in their Manhattan apartment.
Eventually authorities determined Young had killed his young wife and then turned the gun on himself. However, no one knows the motive for the murder-sui**cide to this day.
9. Spade Cooley
Cooley was one of the most well known big band leaders in the 1960’s. However, his career was cut short when he was arrested, tried, and convicted for the murder of his wife Ella Mae Cooley in 1961.
Ella Mae was also a singer in his band. According to reports, Cooley suspected his wife of having an affair, which she later admitted to right before filing for divorce, and he killed her out of anger.
Cooley was sentenced to prison, but died of a heart attack in 1969, while he was out on a three-day furlough to perform at a concert.
10. Fay DeWitt
DeWitt is known for her comedic roles in shows such as Mork & Mindy and Designing Women.
In 1965, DeWitt was charged with the death of her husband, Ray Allen, after she stabbed him repeatedly with a letter opener.
However, the next day, the murder charges against her were dropped. Further investigation revealed that Allen had repeatedly abused DeWitt, and on the day of his death he broke into her home and began banging her head into the wall.
It was also proven that Allen was drunk at the time of the incident, so DeWitt acted out of self defense.