A 93-year-old man in California has confessed to shooting and killing his 86-year-old wife, telling authorities the act was 'necessary' due to her declining health, according to court documents.
A Planned Act and a Phone Call to Police
Richard Hocking had allegedly been planning the fatal shooting for approximately one month before carrying it out in the early hours of Friday, 3 January 2026. Immediately after the incident, he telephoned the police to turn himself in.
Officers from the Fremont Police Department were dispatched to the scene at around 12:22 a.m. following reports of a shooting. Upon arrival, they detained Hocking near his vehicle. Inside the car, they discovered the body of a woman, later identified as his wife, Patty Hocking.
A firearm was recovered from the vehicle. Patty Hocking was pronounced dead at the scene. The couple had been married for 60 years prior to the tragedy.
'Struggling with Health Issues'
Court documents obtained by local media reveal that Hocking claimed his wife had been 'struggling with health issues' and that killing her was therefore 'necessary'. The documents state he left his residence with the victim knowing he was going to kill her.
Neighbours interviewed described a couple grappling with serious health problems. They indicated that Patty Hocking had diabetes and other issues, and had been largely chair-bound for over a year, requiring full-time care from her husband.
Neighbours also noted that Richard Hocking himself suffers from significant health concerns, including the lung condition COPD. One neighbour, who wished to remain anonymous, told reporters the news was 'very shocking' and 'heartbreaking', expressing difficulty in believing it.
Legal Proceedings and Ongoing Investigation
Richard Hocking was taken into custody and provided a statement to detectives detailing his motive for the crime. He was booked on suspicion of homicide with a gun-related enhancement.
His initial arraignment, scheduled for Wednesday, was postponed. Hocking is currently being held without bail and is scheduled to return to court for arraignment on Tuesday.
Police have stated that further specific details regarding his motive have not been released and that investigations into the incident remain active and ongoing.
