Dementia-suffering wife, 77, 'shot dead husband of 54 years and continued cooking him meals for two days'

A 77-year-old woman charged with fatally shooting her husband of 54 years continued cooking him meals for two days after his death in a tragic case tied to her dementia.



Fredericka Rosa, 77, from New Jersey, was charged with first-degree murder and possession of a weapon after she shot her husband Valpa Rosa Sr, 79, in July.

Authorities say she shot him in the head and neck with a .357 Magnum.

Accused: Fredericka Rosa, 77, from New Jersey, was charged with first-degree murder and possession of a weapon after she shot her husband Valpa Rosa Sr, 79, in July

Victim: Valpa C. Rosa Sr. was found dead after being shot twice, once in the head and once in the neck, at his home in July

Her husband was an Army and Air Force veteran and a retired postal worker.

It was two days before police were notified, during which time Mrs Rosa continued to cook him regular meals and tried to check on him when he didn't show for dinner.

She also called family members to ask them where he was.

They revealed to police the 77-year-old suffers from dementia and that the shooting occurred after she endured decades of domestic abuse at the hands of her husband.

Scene: The corpse lay at their home for two days until police were called in which time Mrs Rosa continued to cook her husband meals

However there are no records of domestic abuse at the home, according to the Burlington County Times , although authorities did confirm they had spoken to the couple before.

Her daughter Rosetta Rosa told NBC 10 : 'He drove her insane. He drove her to the point where she picked up the gun and shot him.

'I understand why my mama did it.'

She also suffers from Alzheimer’s disease.

Mrs Rosa is free on $150,000 bail.



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