Wisconsin man accused of fatally stabbing wife, draining her blood weeks before her body was found

GREENFIELD, Wis. (TCD) -- A 48-year-old man stands accused of fatally stabbing his wife, who reportedly asked him to help end her life.

According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, on May 18, officers from the Greenfield Police Department responded to a home in the 4700 block of West Maple Leaf Circle to a report of a stabbing. At the scene, officers reportedly found the body of Jamie Ward, who appeared to have been dead for "a period of time."

Authorities attempted to contact the victim’s husband, Braeden Ward, via phone, WITI-TV reports. He reportedly told authorities he was driving around and was not home, but he was willing to talk over the phone.

According to the complaint obtained by WITI, Ward told officers "he had helped the victim end her life." The complaint went on to say, "the victim had suffered from chronic pain for 20 years and that he could not help her."

Ward’s wife reportedly asked him to help kill herself on May 3, and he agreed. On May 4, when Jamie went into the shower, Ward allegedly used a kitchen knife to stab her in the neck, and she died around four minutes later. Approximately an hour later, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports he stabbed her in the abdomen and legs as well to drain the blood from her body.

Ward reportedly told authorities that due to the smell of his wife’s decomposing body, he set up fans and washed her remains.

The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s Office reportedly performed an autopsy and determined the cause of death was multiple stab wounds.

Ward was located in his vehicle near a motel in Franklin and told authorities "he was armed with a handgun," WITI reports. He was eventually arrested and charged with first-degree intentional homicide with use of a dangerous weapon. His bail was set at $1 million, records show.

Ward is scheduled to appear in court for a preliminary hearing May 31.

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