Elderly man fatally murders wife after dinner dispute

A 74-year-old retired man stabbed his 71-year-old wife at least 16 times with a cleaver following a heated argument over dinner preparation Friday afternoon, resulting in her death, authorities confirmed.

The Judiciary Police (PJ) held a press conference Saturday morning to address the case. Deputy Inspector Cheong Sio Ken identified the suspect as an elderly man who reportedly became dissatisfied with the dishes his wife had prepared.

The elderly couple, married for approximately 50 years, had a quarrel that escalated into violence. During the altercation, the suspect used a cleaver from the kitchen to inflict fatal wounds, primarily to his wife’s head and neck, Deputy Inspector Cheong said.

Their daughter returned home around 4:30 p.m. to find both parents lying in the hall near the kitchen, covered in blood. She immediately called for help.

Police responded to a call around 5 p.m. Friday after the Public Security Police reported the homicide at a Nam Van District residence. Officers found the living room and kitchen covered in blood, with a blood-stained cleaver and scissors in the kitchen sink.

The victim succumbed to her injuries before arriving at the hospital, where she was later pronounced dead. The suspect had minor injuries and was treated at the hospital before being taken into police custody for investigation.

A preliminary forensic examination revealed no fewer than 16 stab wounds on the victim’s body, concentrated in sensitive areas including the head, neck, cervical vertebrae, and left shoulder.

The suspect cooperated with investigators and was deemed mentally stable by the PJ. The exact cause of death is pending a forensic autopsy.

The Judiciary Police have transferred the case to the Public Prosecutions Office for further investigation. There were no prior police records of domestic disputes involving the couple, though they were reportedly known to quarrel frequently over trivial matters.

Association urges families to seek help early

A local women’s group has condemned domestic violence and called for early intervention to prevent family conflicts from escalating.

Wong Man-yee, director of the Women’s General Association of Macau’s Family Service Center, strongly denounced the recent violent incident, telling local media outlet Macao Daily that such cases are not merely marital disputes but often result from prolonged emotional stress and a lack of proper support systems.

“A lasting marriage requires mutual respect, appreciation, and effort—there are no shortcuts,” Wong said. She noted that while police are still investigating the case, preliminary reports indicate frequent arguments over trivial matters within the household.

Traditional families, she added, often hesitate to seek professional help, allowing minor conflicts to worsen.

Wong urged families facing persistent disputes or emotional distress to seek assistance early through counseling, family education, or mediation services offered by social organizations.

She also encouraged relatives and friends to support loved ones by accompanying them to these services. “Timely intervention can ease tensions and prevent disputes from escalating, helping to build stronger families,” she said.