An elderly man who police initially believed was a victim in a home invasion will now be charged for his wife's death.
Philadelphia Police were called to the 6700 block of Castor Avenue in the Oxford Circle section of Northeast Philadelphia around 2:20 Monday morning for the report of a burglary, according to investigators.
They found Louis Hartdegen, 74, bloodied with extensive wounds to his head and neck. Hartdegen told police his neighbor had broken into the second floor apartment he shares with his wife, Judith Hartdegen, and began to attack the couple.
The 74-year-old woman also suffered wounds to her head and was found dead in the bedroom.
Louis Hartdegen was rushed to Aria Health - Torresdale Hospital in stable condition. Police took the man's neighbor into custody Monday morning.
Monday night however, investigators announced a twist in the case. According to police, Hartdegen confessed to killing his wife and lying about his neighbor committing the crime.
Neighbors say Hartdegen collected rent for the landlord on the block. He is currently being processed and will be charged for his wife's murder either later tonight or early Tuesday morning.
This isn't the first time Hartdegen has been in trouble with the law. According to court records, he was found guilty of incest back in 1991. He was also found guilty of burglary back in 1971.
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