Warren man accused of smothering wife, 70, with pillow

A Warren man is being held without bond after Macomb County authorities accused him of smothering his 70-year-old wife with a pillow in their home.

James Hentges, 71, is charged with killing his wife, Cheryl, on Saturday, authorities said. He then tried to kill himself, but failed; he then called 911, the county Prosecutor's Office said in a release Tuesday.

Hentges was arraigned Tuesday in 37th District Court in Warren on a charge of first-degree premeditated murder. Chief Judge John Chmura denied bond and Hentges was remanded to the county jail. A probable cause conference was set for July 25.

"This tragic incident has left a family shattered and a community in mourning. Our hearts go out to the victim's loved ones as we pursue justice for this unimaginable act," Prosecutor Peter Lucido said in his office's release.

Warren Police said in its release that Hentges has no prior criminal convictions and he was cooperative with officers.

Dawn Fraylick, communications director for Lucido's office, said authorities don't know the motive.

Police Commissioner Charles Rushton said his department didn't have a specific motive. He said it received information that during the years the couple didn't always get along. He said investigators don't know whether there was an argument that day or what led up to the incident.

Rushton said the couple had been married more than 40 years and are retired. He said police did not have any prior domestic incidents at the home.

"This one's really unusual, with the ages and no prior history," said Rushton, a 25-year veteran of the city police force. "We have seen stuff with older couples in a murder-suicide, a history of police there or domestic violence."

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Warren Police said they received a 911 call about 2 p.m. Saturday from Hentges, who lives in the 24000 block of Loretta Avenue. He told dispatch that he had killed his wife inside his residence several hours prior and that after doing so he tried to kill himself by overdose and had slit his wrists, police said in the release.

Fraylick said per a police report Hentges used a razor blade to cut his wrists.

Police said officers took him into custody without force or incident and noted he had bandaged wrists consistent with a suicide attempt. They then entered the home and found his wife's body. Fraylick said the wife was found on a bed.

Hentges was treated at a local hospital and returned to the Warren police lockup.

Police said in a release Saturday that it did not appear that anyone else was inside the residence during the incident.

"During his interview with investigators, James Hentges admitted his direct involvement in his wife's murder," police stated in their release Tuesday.

A not guilty plea was entered for Hentges in court. He requested court-appointed counsel, per the district court's online record.

Attorney Karen Lemke, who represented Hentges only for his arraignment, had no comment.

Rushton said the case remains under investigation.

Cheryl Hentges died three days after her 70th birthday, according to her online obituary at Wasik Funeral Home. It states she is survived by two daughters, two granddaughters and other relatives and that she was a loving wife, mother and grandmother.

Her obituary states she loved spending time with close family members, was an amazing cook and baker, an excellent driver, an avid reader and a talented gardener and that her wit and humor filled a room.

Contact Christina Hall: chall@freepress.com. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter: @challreporter.

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