Man accused of helping his wife kill herself

Mark A. Kelly, 47, "set up equipment" for his wife to commit suicide, authorities say. Mark A. Kelly, 47, "set up equipment" for his wife to commit suicide, authorities say. Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Man accused of helping his wife kill herself 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

A Harris County man is being held in jail on felony charges, accused of helping his wife commit suicide.

Mark A. Kelly, 47, called authorities on Saturday morning to report the death of his wife, Sonia Marie Dixon, 49, according to the Harris County Sheriff's Office. Deputies said he told them the couple was having financial troubles and that she wanted to kill herself.

Kelly purchased items related to what is generically known as a suicide bag, a sheriff's spokesman said. The asphyxiation technique has become commonly used. Kelly's purchases included a plastic bag, a helium tank and plastic tubing.

"He said he set up equipment for his wife and he left," spokesman Deputy Tom Gilliland said. "He said he was gone for a few hours. When he got back, she was deceased. He showed us a suicide note and list of instructions she had left."

Gilliland said there was no evidence of foul play.

Charges were presented by the Harris County District Attorney's Office because assisting in a suicide is a violation of state law, punishable by up to two years in a state jail.

Dixon filed for divorce in September. The case was dismissed two weeks ago because it was not pursued.

Kelly remains in Harris County Jail in lieu of $2,000 bail. Gilliland said immigration authorities also have placed a hold on Kelly, though he had no information on Kelly's nationality.

mike.tolson@chron.com