An Ohio man covered in blood from a confrontation with his wife told a first responder there was “no domestic violence” when asked whether she had fallen, according to authorities.
William Feather, 65, has been charged with murder in the death of his wife, 57-year-old Michele Charboneau Feather, along with felonious assault, tampering with evidence, and domestic violence, according to Cuyahoga County court records.
During his arraignment on Tuesday, the defendant entered a not guilty plea and is being held on $1 million bond.
On July 17 at approximately 10 a.m., William Feather reportedly called 911 to report that his wife was unresponsive at their residence on the 1600 block of Canterbury Road in Westlake, Ohio, a suburban city just west of Cleveland.
“I need some help here,” the defendant told dispatchers, according to local NBC affiliate WKYC. “My wife. I’m very concerned about her.”
“She’s not breathing well,” he reportedly added. “She’s not responsive at all. … something’s really bad happening here.”
First responders arrived at the home and transported the woman to a nearby hospital in “very serious condition.” Michele Feather was apparently wearing only a shirt and had bruises on her torso and markings on her legs.
She was later pronounced dead.
Officers with the Westlake Police Department also entered the home. They said they discovered “blood on the floor that went throughout the house,” according to a report obtained by the TV station, along with a bloody mop and bloody paper towels in a trash bin.
Officers spoke with William Feather, who told them he woke up to find his wife unconscious, WKYC reported. When a firefighter asked whether the victim had fallen recently, the defendant allegedly responded, “No, no domestic violence, nothing of that sort.”
William Feather had dried blood under his fingernails and a fresh scratch on his face, which he attributed to shaving, according to area CBS affiliate WOIO. He was taken into custody.
Police are said to have responded to the home previously over allegations of domestic violence, with four calls made between 2021 and 2026.
The defendant is expected back in court on Sept. 1.
Michele Feather is remembered in her obituary as having been “a lifelong resident of Westlake, where she built a life centered around family and friendship.” She had a son and “loved gardening, birdwatching, tending to her countless house plants, spending time with friends and family, and especially going to the beach.”
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