Is this America's oldest serial killer? Man, 73, charged with murder of first wife half a century ago... and is suspected in two other lovers' mysterious disappearances



Felix Vail is accused in the 1962 death of his wife Mary Horton Vail whose body was pulled from the Calcasieu River in Louisiana

Vail is last known person to have seen his girlfriend, Sharon Hensley, who went missing in 1973, and second wife, Annette Craver Vail, who disappeared in 1984

A 73-year-old man has been indicted for murder after the death of his wife more than half a century ago.



Calcasieu Parish grand jury indicted Felix Vail on a second-degree murder charge in Lake Charles, Louisiana.



Vail is accused in the 1962 death of his wife Mary Horton Vail whose body was pulled from the Calcasieu River.

Secrets? Felix Vail, 73, has been indicted for the second-degree murder of his wife who died more than 50 years ago

He claimed she drowned while they were running trotlines - a heavy fishing line with baited hooks.



According to the Clarionledger.com, Vail had taken out life insurance on his wife two months earlier and an autopsy later revealed she had a large bruise to the back of the neck and a scarf pushed in her mouth.



A hearing is set for August 14 to determine if Vail can afford to pay for his own defense or if the Calcasieu Public Defenders Office will assist in the case.

Vail is being looked at in connection with the mysterious disappearance of two other women.



He is the last known person to have seen his girlfriend, Sharon Hensley, who went missing in 1973, and his second wife, Annette Craver Vail, who disappeared in 1984.

A hearing is set for August 14 to determine if Vail can afford to pay for his own defense or if the Calcasieu Public Defenders Office will assist in the case.

If he is found guilty, he will automatically receive a life sentence without parole.



Unanswered questions: Mary Horton Vail's death more than 50 years ago is now being considered a murder