A Midland man is in custody on a first-degree felony assault charge after alleging that his wife had attempted to commit suicide at their residence.
Benjamin Moore, 36, was arrested early Saturday morning by the Midland Police Department for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in connection with the strangulation of his wife, 29-year-old Natasha Morris.
Police originally responded to Moore’s claim that his wife had committed suicide at approximately 12:11 a.m. Saturday in the 700 block of West Michigan Avenue. Morris was found hanging by a power cord in the couple’s bedroom closet, and was transported to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. The investigation has revealed that Moore called 911 after poking his wife’s body with a pull-up bar, making no apparent attempt to save her life.
Injuries on Morris’ neck were consistent with strangulation and did not appear to police to be the result of a self-inflicted hanging. Moore remained hospitalized as of Tuesday morning with injuries that continue to be life-threatening. Midland County Sheriff’s Office records indicate that Moore’s bond has been set at $150,000. The investigation is ongoing.
###Media Contact: Public Information Officer Sara Bustilloz