Man kills wife, places body in tub, attempts suicide, deputies say

INDIAN ROCKS BEACH, Fla. - An Indian Rocks Beach man who attempted to kill himself Thursday faces a second degree murder charge after detectives found his wife’s decomposing body in their bathtub, Pinellas Sheriff’s Office said.

Deputies say that 45-year-old David Ernst killed his wife, 59-year-old Darlene Mayfield, two weeks ago in their home on the 1900 block of 1st Street.

According to the report, Pinellas authorities responded to a suicide call at the home 6:36 p.m. Thursday.

Ernst told deputies that he took medication in an attempt to commit suicide. Paramedics began to treat him before transporting him to a local hospital.

During their investigation, deputies learned Ernst told his neighbor that he had killed his wife. When deputies entered the home to search for Mayfield, they found a decomposing body in the bathtub of the upstairs bathroom.

The body was so decomposed, detectives could not positively identify her and a Homicide Unit took over the investigation.

Detectives interviewed Ernst and he confessed to the murder. He told them that he suffocated Mayfield two weeks ago during an argument, then put her in the bathtub.

He said he wanted to commit suicide and took a large amount of medication. Afterwards, he’d gone to his neighbor and told him what occurred.

Once Ernst is released from the hospital, he will be taken to the Pinellas County Jail and charged with second degree murder.

The investigation continues.