Bellevue Legal News: Seattle Divorce & Domestic Violence Lawyer

Tacoma Man Convicted Of Killing Estranged Wife And Stepdaughter

Tacoma, Washington, was the setting for a tragic example of domestic violence – a man going through a divorce committed the double murder of his wife and stepdaughter as he struggled to cope with the end of his marriage.

According to court reports, 53-year-old Charles W. Nettlebeck killed his wife, 52-year-old Barbara Joe Nettlebeck, and his stepdaughter, 33-year-old Joan Hawkins with an ax at his wife’s residence. The double murder occurred in March of 2009 after Charles went to his former home to help with a yard sale. After an argument, the man decapitated his wife and then mauled his stepdaughter. Three hours later, following an attempt to hang himself, the man called 911 and reported what he had done. His wife was pronounced dead at the scene of the crime while his stepdaughter died of her injuries a few hours later at the hospital.

At the time of the domestic violence murder, Barbara had a protective order against her husband and had filed for divorce. It is not clear whether he was invited to the house on the day of the yard sale. It is also not clear whether the man had a history of domestic abuse or violence against his wife and family.

This week a Tacoma jury found the man guilty on two counts of aggravated first-degree murder. Sentencing will take place next month. Prosecutors will not pursue the death penalty because of Nettlebeck’s long history of mental illness that could have contributed to his actions.

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