What to Know
- Wayne Alcus, 49, allegedly stabbed and killed his 55-year-old wife inside a Long island home Monday evening, authorities say
- Patricia Alcus was pronounced dead at the scene in Copiague, officials said
- The couple's 18-year-old son was hurt taking the knife away from his father, police said; he is expected to be OK
A man has been arrested, accused of stabbing and killing his wife inside a Long Island home on Monday, police say.
Wayne Alcus, 49, is charged with second-degree murder in connection with the deadly stabbing of his 55-year-old wife Patricia Alcus in the Copiague home they once shared along with their two children, according to Suffolk County police. He was arraigned in court on Tuesday.
The couple’s 18-year-old son suffered an injury to his hand while trying to take the knife away from his father as the violence unfolded at around 7 p.m. Monday inside Patricia’s Lake Drive home. The teenager is expected to survive.
Patricia was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police said the couple was in the early stages of a separation but Wayne Alcus was welcomed back into the home on Monday night. Police don't know why the confrontation escalated to murder.
"There was conversation between all the parties there," said Suffolk Det. Lt. Kevin Beyrer. "Wasn't like he showed up uninvited. There was even talk they were gonna have dinner together."
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But the conversation turned violent, and police said Wayne Alcus grabbed a knife and stabbed his wife multiple times. The couple's teenage son "sees his father stabbing his mother. He takes the knife from his father," said Beyrer. "Fortunately, the father surrendered it without an incident. He did suffer a wound to his hand with that knife."
Prosecutors said when police arrived at the home, Alcus said, "I did it. I couldn't take it anymore. I killed her. She's in the kitchen."
Alcus' defense attorney Philip Murphy said Tuesday, "They'd been married 22 years, apparently had their ups and downs. He stayed at the scene and dealt with it."
A motive for the attack has not yet been determined. An investigation is ongoing.
"It's just really said," said neighbor Stephen Lutz. "You don't know what's going on in people's lives and they can be so close to you, and you just have no clue."
