Litchfield Park man accused of murder in wife's 2015 death

LITCHFIELD PARK, Ariz. (KSAZ) - A Valley man has been arrested for allegedly killing his wife nearly two years ago.

The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office says 53-year-old Elias Udechime has been arrested for killing his wife, 39-year-old Chinonye Udechime, in September of 2015.

Investigators say Udechime called 911 saying he found his wife in bed and not breathing. He claimed she had taken medication the night before and made suicidal comments to him in the past.

During questioning, police say they discovered the couple had been involved in a domestic violence fight several months earlier.

Chinonye's body was sent to the medical examiner's office and in June of 2016, her death was ruled a homicide. An autopsy report shows she died by asphyxiation by strangulation and had a sedative and a muscle relaxant in her system.

Police say they have reason to believe Chinonye's husband was involved and he was arrested.

Elias Udechime faces a charge of second-degree murder and has been booked into jail on $500,000 bond.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.