Topline: Deputies say she was caught trying to wash blood-soaked clothes when they arrived.
Published: October 11, 2025 8:00 am ET
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Bonnie Tietgens (via St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office)
ST. LUCIE, FL — A Florida woman is facing murder charges after deputies say she admitted to killing her husband with a billy club and was caught trying to wash away evidence at their home.
According to the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office, 64-year-old William Tietgens was found dead inside his home on Birch Drive, and his wife, 60-year-old Bonnie Tietgens, has been charged with his murder.
Deputies responded to the residence around 10:26 p.m. on October 8 following a 911 call reporting a possible deceased person. As reported in a news release from the sheriff’s office, deputies arrived to find William Tietgens lying on the ground inside the home with severe head trauma. Despite efforts by law enforcement and St. Lucie County Fire Rescue personnel to revive him, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Bonnie Tietgens was found in the garage, standing beside a washing machine. Sheriff Richard Del Toro said deputies observed a blood-soaked blanket nearby, and the machine was loaded with bloodied clothing and towels. She was in the act of starting the wash cycle when taken into custody — an apparent attempt to destroy evidence, Del Toro told reporters during a Thursday press briefing.
“She was in the process of basically pressing the start cycle on the machine,” Del Toro said, as reported by WPBF. Investigators later charged her with second-degree murder and tampering with evidence. She remains in custody at the St. Lucie County Jail.
The chain of events began earlier that evening, when, according to investigators, Bonnie attempted to call her adult son. Around 9 p.m., he returned the call, and during their conversation, Bonnie reportedly told him that “dad was dead” and admitted to striking him with a billy club. Alarmed, the son contacted his sister, and the two rushed to their parents’ home after being unable to reach their father. Upon finding William unresponsive, they immediately contacted 911.
The couple’s history, according to neighbors, was complicated. “They definitely had their history, you know, drinking and fighting. It was kind of just a common occurrence for years,” said Sue Rozman, who, along with her partner Ken Harris, has lived in the neighborhood for over a decade. Speaking to WPTV, Rozman said she still couldn’t fully grasp the news: “Bonnie really did that. She took someone’s life. I mean, that’s all there is to it — and in that way, in that awful way.”
Sheriff Del Toro confirmed that alcohol appeared to be a factor and said Bonnie was intoxicated during her interaction with deputies. He also revealed that William Tietgens had previously faced domestic violence charges filed by Port St. Lucie Police several years ago, though the sheriff’s office had received no recent calls to the residence.
For nearby residents like John Locklair, the crime feels completely out of place. “I see them occasionally,” he told WPBF. “He walked his golden retriever, said ‘hi’ or ‘good morning’ and that’s it. That never crossed my mind,” he said of the possibility of such violence occurring nearby.
The Tietgens had been married for about 40 years and leave behind two adult children. One of them spoke briefly with WPTV but requested privacy during what the sheriff described as a deeply traumatic time.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of the victim during this tragic time,” said Sheriff Del Toro. “We are committed to ensuring justice is served and will continue to support the victim’s loved ones through this investigation.”
Authorities say the case remains active and ongoing.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Florida Woman Accused of Killing Husband With Billy Club
Deputies say she was caught trying to wash blood-soaked clothes when they arrived.
By Jacob Charles
Published: October 11, 2025 8:00 am ET
Bonnie Tietgens (via St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office)
ST. LUCIE, FL — A Florida woman is facing murder charges after deputies say she admitted to killing her husband with a billy club and was caught trying to wash away evidence at their home.
According to the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office, 64-year-old William Tietgens was found dead inside his home on Birch Drive, and his wife, 60-year-old Bonnie Tietgens, has been charged with his murder.
Deputies responded to the residence around 10:26 p.m. on October 8 following a 911 call reporting a possible deceased person. As reported in a news release from the sheriff’s office, deputies arrived to find William Tietgens lying on the ground inside the home with severe head trauma. Despite efforts by law enforcement and St. Lucie County Fire Rescue personnel to revive him, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Bonnie Tietgens was found in the garage, standing beside a washing machine. Sheriff Richard Del Toro said deputies observed a blood-soaked blanket nearby, and the machine was loaded with bloodied clothing and towels. She was in the act of starting the wash cycle when taken into custody — an apparent attempt to destroy evidence, Del Toro told reporters during a Thursday press briefing.
“She was in the process of basically pressing the start cycle on the machine,” Del Toro said, as reported by WPBF. Investigators later charged her with second-degree murder and tampering with evidence. She remains in custody at the St. Lucie County Jail.
The chain of events began earlier that evening, when, according to investigators, Bonnie attempted to call her adult son. Around 9 p.m., he returned the call, and during their conversation, Bonnie reportedly told him that “dad was dead” and admitted to striking him with a billy club. Alarmed, the son contacted his sister, and the two rushed to their parents’ home after being unable to reach their father. Upon finding William unresponsive, they immediately contacted 911.
The couple’s history, according to neighbors, was complicated. “They definitely had their history, you know, drinking and fighting. It was kind of just a common occurrence for years,” said Sue Rozman, who, along with her partner Ken Harris, has lived in the neighborhood for over a decade. Speaking to WPTV, Rozman said she still couldn’t fully grasp the news: “Bonnie really did that. She took someone’s life. I mean, that’s all there is to it — and in that way, in that awful way.”
Sheriff Del Toro confirmed that alcohol appeared to be a factor and said Bonnie was intoxicated during her interaction with deputies. He also revealed that William Tietgens had previously faced domestic violence charges filed by Port St. Lucie Police several years ago, though the sheriff’s office had received no recent calls to the residence.
For nearby residents like John Locklair, the crime feels completely out of place. “I see them occasionally,” he told WPBF. “He walked his golden retriever, said ‘hi’ or ‘good morning’ and that’s it. That never crossed my mind,” he said of the possibility of such violence occurring nearby.
The Tietgens had been married for about 40 years and leave behind two adult children. One of them spoke briefly with WPTV but requested privacy during what the sheriff described as a deeply traumatic time.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of the victim during this tragic time,” said Sheriff Del Toro. “We are committed to ensuring justice is served and will continue to support the victim’s loved ones through this investigation.”
Authorities say the case remains active and ongoing.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
Must Read
Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Florida Woman Accused of Killing Husband With Billy Club
Deputies say she was caught trying to wash blood-soaked clothes when they arrived.
By Jacob Charles
Published: October 11, 2025 8:00 am ET
Bonnie Tietgens (via St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office)
ST. LUCIE, FL — A Florida woman is facing murder charges after deputies say she admitted to killing her husband with a billy club and was caught trying to wash away evidence at their home.
According to the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office, 64-year-old William Tietgens was found dead inside his home on Birch Drive, and his wife, 60-year-old Bonnie Tietgens, has been charged with his murder.
Deputies responded to the residence around 10:26 p.m. on October 8 following a 911 call reporting a possible deceased person. As reported in a news release from the sheriff’s office, deputies arrived to find William Tietgens lying on the ground inside the home with severe head trauma. Despite efforts by law enforcement and St. Lucie County Fire Rescue personnel to revive him, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Bonnie Tietgens was found in the garage, standing beside a washing machine. Sheriff Richard Del Toro said deputies observed a blood-soaked blanket nearby, and the machine was loaded with bloodied clothing and towels. She was in the act of starting the wash cycle when taken into custody — an apparent attempt to destroy evidence, Del Toro told reporters during a Thursday press briefing.
“She was in the process of basically pressing the start cycle on the machine,” Del Toro said, as reported by WPBF. Investigators later charged her with second-degree murder and tampering with evidence. She remains in custody at the St. Lucie County Jail.
The chain of events began earlier that evening, when, according to investigators, Bonnie attempted to call her adult son. Around 9 p.m., he returned the call, and during their conversation, Bonnie reportedly told him that “dad was dead” and admitted to striking him with a billy club. Alarmed, the son contacted his sister, and the two rushed to their parents’ home after being unable to reach their father. Upon finding William unresponsive, they immediately contacted 911.
The couple’s history, according to neighbors, was complicated. “They definitely had their history, you know, drinking and fighting. It was kind of just a common occurrence for years,” said Sue Rozman, who, along with her partner Ken Harris, has lived in the neighborhood for over a decade. Speaking to WPTV, Rozman said she still couldn’t fully grasp the news: “Bonnie really did that. She took someone’s life. I mean, that’s all there is to it — and in that way, in that awful way.”
Sheriff Del Toro confirmed that alcohol appeared to be a factor and said Bonnie was intoxicated during her interaction with deputies. He also revealed that William Tietgens had previously faced domestic violence charges filed by Port St. Lucie Police several years ago, though the sheriff’s office had received no recent calls to the residence.
For nearby residents like John Locklair, the crime feels completely out of place. “I see them occasionally,” he told WPBF. “He walked his golden retriever, said ‘hi’ or ‘good morning’ and that’s it. That never crossed my mind,” he said of the possibility of such violence occurring nearby.
The Tietgens had been married for about 40 years and leave behind two adult children. One of them spoke briefly with WPTV but requested privacy during what the sheriff described as a deeply traumatic time.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of the victim during this tragic time,” said Sheriff Del Toro. “We are committed to ensuring justice is served and will continue to support the victim’s loved ones through this investigation.”
Authorities say the case remains active and ongoing.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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