Man accused of murdering wife 'used coronavirus as excuse after she vanished'

A man has been arrested, after his wife mysteriously disappeared last month, with police alleging the husband sent a text message from his wife’s phone, saying she had coronavirus.

Police started investigating the disappearance of Gretchen Anthony, 51, on March 26 after family members reported her missing.

A witness received a suspicious text message from Ms Anthony’s phone on March 23, which according to CBS12, stated she had contracted COVID-19 and was being held by the Centre of Disease Control after she was checked into her local health centre.

The witness did not hear from Ms Anthony after receiving the text message.

Another witness also received a text message from Ms Anthony’s phone, which also claimed she had COVID-19 and was sedated by the CDC.

Ms Anthony had recently separated from Florida man, David Anthony, 43, and although the two were still married, Ms Anthony had filed for divorce.

Jupiter Police Department found Ms Anthony’s dark blue Mini Cooper at the Jupiter Medical Centre, however she was nowhere to be found in the area.

It has since beed reported by various local publications Ms Anthony had not been admitted to the medical centre in a number of years.

Police determined Mr Anthony was involved in his wife’s disappearance and related homicide, which police believe happened on March 21.

Upon conducting a welfare check on Ms Anthony, police discovered multiple bottles of cleaning products, shards of glass in the master bedroom, what looked like blood on the wall and bleach stains on the garage floor, which lead out to the driveway, according to Las Cruces Sun News.

According to CBC12, a witness told police they had purchased jewellery off Mr Anthony on March 30, and he claimed the jewellery belonged to a “mother or stepmother” who had recently died of coronavirus.

On April 8, Jupiter Police Department shared an update on the case and said Mr Anthony was found by detectives in New Mexico.

Mr Anthony was arrested and charged with second degree murder and kidnapping.

Neighbours place David Anthony at the home

A neighbour confronted police when they were investigating the home, and asked if they were looking into the attack which happened on Saturday March 21, in the early hours of the morning.

The neighbour reportedly told police they heard Gretchen scream and yell on the Saturday, Las Cruces Sun News reported.

Another neighbour also confirmed they heard Gretchen scream and both witnesses claim they saw a black truck in Gretchen’s driveway.

When Mr Anthony was arrested in New Mexico, his black Nissan Frontier was also located.

“This is very shocking, we’re in a very safe, quiet neighbourhood” Jan Grandy, a neighbour told CBS12.

“Nothing like this ever happens here.”

In the update provided by the Jupiter Police Department on Facebook, police said Mr Anthony would be extradited back to Florida’s Palm Beach County.

Police also appealed to the public for help with the investigation.

“Investigators are still trying to locate the whereabouts of Gretchen Anthony and are hoping the public may have seen or heard something related to this case,” the Facebook post said.

Ms Anthony has not been found as of April 13.

Police also shared a photo of Mr Anthony’s dog, a black and white husky which he would usually take out in public.

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and download the Yahoo News app from the App Store or Google Play.