New Jersey police responded to a 911 call on Christmas Day from a woman saying that she had been in a fight. But when they arrived, they found the woman’s husband, a figure in local Republican politics, shot dead.
Woman charged with murder of husband in Christmas day shooting
On Christmas day, officers from the Hamilton Township Police Department in New Jersey responded to a 911 call from a woman saying she had been in a fight.
When cops arrived, they found Marylue Wigglesworth, 51, who told the responding officers she had shot her husband. The officers found David B. Wigglesworth, 57, the woman’s husband and a figure in local Republican politics, had suffered an apparent gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene, NBC reported.
The alleged incident occurred inside their Mays Landing home around 10:20 p.m. on Dec. 25, according to a news release from the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office, People reported.
Authorities have not yet released further details on the fatal shooting, including a possible motive, as the investigation remains ongoing.
Wife arrested
Marylue was arrested at the scene in connection with the death of her husband and booked into the Atlantic County Justice Facility, according to the arrest affidavit, as cited by The Press of Atlantic City.
According to an autopsy performed on David, he died of a single gunshot wound. Prosecutors said that his manner of death was a homicide.
The attorneys for Marylue Wigglesworth, Jonathan E. Diego and Melissa Rosenblum, issued a statement: “A tragedy occurred on Christmas evening. Ms. Wigglesworth is innocent of the charge against her.”
“The facts of that heart-rending evening will unfold in a court of law, not the court of public opinion,” the attorneys added.
According to online records, Marylue had not entered a plea.
Victim had been active in New Jersey Republican Party
David B. Wigglesworth had been active in local politics, as well as extensive volunteer work, according to his obituary. He had worked as a Journeyman Electrician for IBEW 351 (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Labor Union) for 35 years.
David previously served as president of the Planning Board in Hamilton Township and unsuccessfully ran as a Republican for the Township Committee in 2012, according to The Press. David also served as chair of the Planning Board, NJ1015.com reported.
Marylue and David shared one adult son named Dave, according to WPG Talk Radio.
