Police say a retired Ohio State University professor killed his wife and then attempted to take his own life after becoming the target of an online sextortion scheme.
According to investigators, 76-year-old James Hill of Upper Arlington told officers he felt trapped after a woman he met on a dating app threatened to publish nude photos of him unless he paid her $15,000 in Apple gift cards, the Columbus Dispatch reported.
Court documents say Hill fatally stabbed his wife, 64-year-old Mary Kathleen Hill, in the chest with a kitchen knife on Sunday. After the attack, he reportedly apologized to her and held her as she died, according to ABC 6.
Hill then allegedly attempted to stab the family dog, but the animal escaped. Police say he went on to delete the compromising photos from his computer before stabbing himself in the chest in a failed suicide attempt.
Hill, a retired music professor who had been involved in preparations for an upcoming performance, left students stunned. “There’s no joy in performing knowing this information,” one student told ABC 6. “Everyone was shocked. Nobody could have seen this coming.”
He has been charged with premeditated aggravated murder and is expected to be arraigned on Wednesday.