Minnesota man accused of beating 'mean' wife to death with baseball bat
01/25/2022 12:03 pm PST
ST. PAUL, Minn. (TCD) -- A 66-year-old man allegedly beat his 67-year-old wife to death over the weekend.
According to the St. Paul Police Department, officers responded to a residence on the 1400 block of Dale Street North on Sunday, Jan. 23, at approximately 12:30 a.m. At the scene, an unresponsive woman, later identified as Linda M. Johnson, was reportedly found wrapped in a comforter.
According to a criminal complaint obtained by WCCO-TV, a small baseball bat was located near the victim’s body along with a note that read: "I didn’t mean to hurt my wife. I love my wife."
St. Paul Fire medics reportedly arrived and pronounced Johnson dead at the scene.
KSTP-TV reports that Arvid Johnson, the victim’s husband, was sitting at the kitchen table smoking a cigarette when police arrived. He reportedly told authorities, "I hurt my wife. I killed her," adding, "I go and get her food, it’s never good enough. She’s just so mean." Arvid allegedly took care of his wife, who suffered from arthritis.
Upon being interviewed, WCCO says Arvid told authorities that his live-in grandson wanted to sleep with them that night, but Linda "shooed him away." Arvid and Linda allegedly got into an argument after the grandson left. According to KSTP, Arvid also told authorities about a "big wet spot" on the bed, complaining about his wife’s refusal to clean after herself.
According to KSTP, Arvid said he remembered punching his wife in the mouth and bashing her head on the bed and floor before hitting her with the baseball bat. He allegedly left her on the floor and covered her up, knowing that she was dead.
Arvid’s grandson allegedly came downstairs, and Arvid told him to get his mom. The grandson’s mother was reportedly the one who called 911.
According to KSTP, Arvid was arrested and charged with one count of second-degree murder. He remains held at the Ramsey County Jail on $1 million bail and was scheduled to appear in court Tuesday, Jan. 25. Police say an autopsy will be performed to confirm the victim’s exact cause of death.
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