ORANGE COUNTY, FL – An 80-year-old Florida man has been charged with first-degree murder after allegedly shooting and killing his 83-year-old wife during an argument about taking a cruise, according to court documents.
William Simmons called police on February 21 and confessed to killing his wife Nancy, telling dispatch that his wife “was down, and I’m just sitting here” and that she “was not able to talk to anybody anymore,” according to an affidavit obtained by authorities.
Orange County Sheriff’s deputies responding to the residence found Nancy Simmons unresponsive in the kitchen with a gunshot wound to her upper body. A shotgun and empty shell casing were found nearby. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
During questioning, William Simmons told investigators the couple had been arguing over “going on a cruise” when the fatal shooting occurred. He said his wife had repeatedly told him “f*** you, you bastard,” which he claimed had triggered his actions.
According to the affidavit, Simmons retrieved a gun from his bedroom closet and told his wife he had “had enough and he could pull the trigger.” When she swore at him again, he allegedly fired one shot, killing her.
Simmons told police that his wife suffered from dementia and that he had dealt with her condition “for too long.” He reportedly told officers that “he loved the old Nancy and that he would rather live in prison than deal with her.”
The defendant acknowledged to investigators that his wife had not tried to hurt him during the incident, that he was not under the influence of any substances, and that the shooting was not an act of self-defense.
Simmons has been charged with first-degree murder and remains in custody. The Orange County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate the case.
