- Steven Schwartz, 85, was charged with murder in the death of his wife Sharon
- He allegedly stabbed his wife to death during an argument over pancakes
- Steven allegedly told police he “leaned over and kissed” his wife as she lay on the floor, describing it as “the most beautiful kiss”
An 85-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly stabbing his wife to death because he wouldn't eat the pancakes she made for him.
Steven Schwartz now faces murder charges in the death of his wife, Sharron Schwartz, 81, as announced by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia.
“The suspect did not want to eat the pancakes she made and stabbed her in the back,” their statement reads.
The alleged murder occurred Sunday afternoon at the couple's home on Corcoran Street in northwest Washington, DC
When officers arrived on the scene, they found Sharron in the apartment with stab wounds, and Steven had suffered “self-inflicted wounds,” Washington's Metropolitan Police Department said.
When officers arrived on the scene, they found Sharron in the apartment with stab wounds, and Steven had suffered “self-inflicted wounds,” the Metropolitan Police said (pictured in 2022).
Both elders were rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment, but Sharron was later pronounced dead.
Steven told detectives he “loved that woman for 40 years,” according to a police statement obtained by the Washington Post.
The 85-year-old defendant said he had “lost 45 to 50 pounds in the hospital” in recent months due to physical and psychiatric disorders.
Steven said “his wife wanted him to weigh 180 pounds again,” the affidavit reads.
In an interview with Detective Jeffery Clay, Steven described his wife as a “bit of a taskmaster” but said that “she did it for his good.”
She “loved him so much that (she) wanted him to be okay and wanted her partner and protector back,” Steven told officers.
The argument started on Sunday morning when Sharon asked the defendant if he was going to breakfast.
Steven responded by saying 'he had eaten a quarter of a Krispy Kreme (doughnut) the day before.'
Steven said he told his wife that “he would try to eat a pancake with not too much syrup,” but later changed his mind.
“The next thing (he) heard was a plate hitting the wall,” the affidavit said, after “he reached for a carving knife from a holder and grabbed it.”
An autopsy report later revealed that Sharon had been stabbed once in the back and that the knife had pierced her heart.
Police on the scene reported that Steven had a knife in his hand and refused to let go until an officer used a Taser to subdue him.
The alleged murder occurred Sunday afternoon at the couple's home on Corcoran Street in northwest Washington, DC
Steven allegedly told police he “leaned over and kissed” his wife as she lay on the floor, saying it was “the most beautiful kiss.”
He also allegedly told the hospital's medical workers: 'She doesn't deserve this. I deserve it. She does not. I killed her. Oh my God.'
Steven was arrested Thursday on charges of manslaughter while armed in Sharron's death.
He was arraigned the same day and pleaded not guilty in DC Superior Court.
The suspect claimed he had mental health problems, including depression and paranoia.
Judge Sherry Trafford ordered him held without bond pending his preliminary hearing on January 2, 2024.