'Devoted' husband, 93, sent to prison after suffocating elderly wife to death

Warning: This article contains details some readers may find upsetting

A 93-year-old pensioner has this week been told he'll die behind bars after being found guilty of the murder of his own wife.

Donald Morley - whose 92-year-old wife Jean had been suffering with dementia prior to her death - still maintains that the act was a 'mercy killing'.

For those unfamiliar with this hotly-debated case, Jean Morley was found dead inside her Canberra, Australia home in July last year, having seemingly been suffocated with a pillow whilst she slept.

The 93-year-old pled guilty to the murder of his wife. (Facebook)

Donald had subsequently intended to take his own life - having left a suicide note near the scene of his wife's murder, informing the finder that the couple were scared of the future - but had failed to do so.

"After 69 years married, we were both afraid of the future," he wrote. "Please don't call this murder-suicide. Sorry to upset all our family and friends this wasn't easy for me, especially my darling."

In turn, he was immediately arrested and accused of murder after he openly admitted to the crime in conversation with a nurse who'd attended their joint properly after failing to get in contact with the couple.

According to the Canberra Times, he told the medic: "I have done a terrible thing. I suffocated her with a pillow last night."

Jean was diagnosed with dementia prior to her death. (Facebook)

Donald pleaded guilty today (29 April) and he was informed whilst in a hospital ward - where he is currently receiving palliative care - that he'd spend the rest of his life in prison with a sentence of nine years.

His attorney had previously claimed that Jean's death was a 'mercy killing', being that she'd suffered immensely with her dementia diagnosis.

As well as his wife's ailing health, Donald himself had been told prior to the murder that his own skin cancer had spread to his skull.

ACT Supreme Court judge David Mossop went on to reject his initial defence claim in a hearing today (29 April), however.

"Murder remains murder, notwithstanding the age or infirmity of the victim or the perpetrator," he told the courtroom, whilst Donald joined via video camera.

Jean was suffocated with a pillow. (Facebook)

"Murder is the gravest denial of individual autonomy."

Despite his claims about not wanting to see his wife suffer any longer, the court heard that neither Jean nor Donald had instigated a suicide pact of any kind.

Justice Mossop went on to emphasise that Jean had not at one point asked to be killed when her husband decided to take her life.

Topics: Crime, World News, Sex and Relationships

Rhianna Benson

Rhianna is an Entertainment Journalist at LADbible Group, working across LADbible, UNILAD and Tyla. She has a Masters in News Journalism from the University of Salford and a Masters in Ancient History from the University of Edinburgh. She previously worked as a Celebrity Reporter for OK! and New Magazines, and as a TV Writer for Reach PLC.

@rhiannaBjourno