OH - Ruth Case, 87, & Betty Lutkehaus, 67, murdered, Butler County, 2005

A man who told police that he killed his wife and sister described the victims as ill and in pain and also said that he had financial difficulties trying to care for them.

Butler County Prosecutor Robin Piper says Richard Lutkehaus, 76, of Hamilton said his wife, Betty Jean, 67, was suffering from severe heart disease.

He said his sister Ruth Case, 87, had Alzheimer's disease.
http://www.wxix.com/Global/story.asp?S=3756806

Was it mercy killing, pre-meditated murder, or both? An elderly man sits in the Butler County Jail Monday night charged with two counts of aggravated murder. Richard Lutkehaus was arraigned in court Monday. The 76 year-old is accused of killing his 67 year-old wife who had heart problems, and his 87 year-old half-sister who suffered with alzheimers. Local 12 shows us why prosecutors plan to treat the case in Hamilton like any other murder, no matter the motivation.
http://wkrc.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=AF433C7A-1421-4157-A783-CEFFD2F24BE6

February 2006:

http://www.daily-jeff.com/local%20news/2006/02/13/suspect-dies-after-apparent-stroke

A man who told police he killed his ill wife and sister to relieve their pain and his struggles paying their medical bills has died, authorities said. Richard Lutkehaus, 76, of Hamilton, had suffered what appeared to be a stroke while in the Butler County jail.

Lutkehaus had pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to two counts of aggravated murder in the Aug. 20 shooting deaths of his wife, Betty Jean Lutkehaus, 67, and his sister, Ruth Case, 87.

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