A 59-year-old woman residing in Ribérac, Dordogne, has been placed under judicial examination and remanded in custody after admitting to the murder of her 86-year-old husband in 2019. According to the public prosecutor's office, Jacques-Edouard Andrault, she confessed to killing her husband with a hammer and subsequently burying his body, which had not been seen for several years.

The investigation into the husband's disappearance began after he was reported missing without having had contact for an extended period.

The woman had initially told a neighbor that her husband was 'in spiritual retreat at a monastery.'

During the investigation, the suspect revealed to investigators that an incident at their home led to the fatal confrontation.

She stated that her husband had demanded a sexual encounter while holding a knife, which she refused.

In response, she struck him in the head with a hammer.

Following the incident, she buried his body in a pit in their garage without informing anyone.

Additionally, the woman reportedly maintained the facade of her husband's presence, acting as though he was still alive to neighbors and acquaintances.

An autopsy conducted on the remains indicated head injuries consistent with being struck by a blunt object.

A hammer believed to be the murder weapon was discovered at the site.

The judicial inquiry into the matter has been expanded to include charges of murder by spouse as well as fraud, as the wife is suspected of having sold vehicles that belonged to the deceased.

She has been formally charged with murder and is classified as an assisted witness concerning the fraud allegations, having been placed in provisional detention.

Both the suspect and the victim did not have any prior criminal records, according to the prosecutor's office.