A quiet Tuesday night in Fort Pierce turned into a gruesome crime scene after a Florida woman allegedly bludgeoned her husband to death — then tried to wash away the evidence.
Bonnie Tietgens, 60, is facing charges of second-degree murder and tampering with evidence in the death of her husband, William Tietgens, 64, at their home on the 5200 block of Birch Drive, according to the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office.
The couple’s adult children made the horrifying discovery just after 10:00 p.m. Tuesday. Deputies say the ordeal began about an hour earlier, when Bonnie allegedly called her son and confessed: “Dad is dead.” She also admitted to striking him with a billy club.
When the couple’s son and daughter rushed to the home, they found their father lying on the ground with severe head trauma and immediately called 911. Deputies arrived within minutes, but William was pronounced dead at the scene despite life-saving efforts.
Inside the garage, deputies found a chilling sight — Bonnie standing near a washing machine, with a blood-soaked blanket on the floor beside her. Investigators said the washer was loaded with bloody clothes and towels, and Tietgens was in the process of starting the wash cycle when taken into custody, apparently attempting to destroy evidence.
Sheriff Richard Del Toro said his office is committed to supporting the victim’s family:
“We are dedicated to ensuring justice is served and will continue to stand by the loved ones affected by this tragedy.”
Bonnie Tietgens was arrested at the scene and is being held in the St. Lucie County Jail.
The case remains an active investigation as detectives work to uncover the full sequence of events that led to the fatal attack.
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