MISSION VIEJO – A man was arrested Tuesday, accused in the death of his wife, who was found dead in their home earlier in the day.

The Orange County Sheriff’s Department said Gary Lee Parsons, 74, was booked on suspicion of murder in the death of his wife, Barbara Parsons, 73.

Police were called to a home in the 27000 block of Pueblo Nuevo Drive in Mission Viejo on Tuesday afternoon. A sheriff’s statement said the department had received a 911 call from Gary Parsons, who indicated he had killed his wife. Deputies found him in his vehicle in front of the residence and detained him.

His wife was found dead in the home.

“Based on the preliminary investigation, it appears Gary and Barbara were involved in a physical altercation inside the residence. During the altercation, Barbara suffered what appears to be fatal injuries,” the statement said.

The coroner will determine the manner and cause of death. Investigators had not determined a motive, the sheriff’s statement said. Parsons was being held in lieu of $1 million bail and is due in court Thursday.