A Florida man had been charged with second-degree murder in the death of his estranged wife, in 2020.
Friends of Gretchen Anthony, 51, had received questionable text messages from her phone, stating that she was in the hospital due to COVID-19.
However, no medical facilities or insurance documents showed that she was a COVID-19 patient. This prompted them to contact police.
Authorities later figured out that her estranged husband, David Anthony, 43, was connected to her disappearance. Then, it was determined that he was responsible for her murder that was said to have happened on March 21, that year.
Camera footage had shown a man matching the husband’s description arriving and leaving Gretchen’s car at a hospital.
Additionally, evidence noted that neighbors heard Gretchen screaming the night of the 21st. Authorities found cleaning products in Gretchen’s residence that appeared to be used to clean up blood.
David Anthony went on the run and was seen on recordings selling his wife’s jewelry at different places. Later, he was caught in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Gretchen’s phone was found in his vehicle.
Eventually, the estranged husband pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and kidnapping. He then had to tell authorities where Gretchen’s body was located.
A motive for the killing was never given and Anthony has received a 38 year prison sentence.
