OREGON CITY, Ore. (TCD) — A judge sentenced a 41-year-old man to life in prison for killing his 37-year-old wife last year in a plot to take his life as well.
The Clackamas County District Attorney’s Office said in a statement that Anthony Wessel pleaded guilty Wednesday, April 10, to second-degree murder. He will be eligible for parole after 25 years.
On Nov. 13, 2023, shortly before 1 p.m., Wessel called the Oregon City Police Department and reported that he shot his wife, Anna Wessel. Officers responded to his home on Squire Drive and found the woman dead inside.
According to a statement, Oregon City Police officers located a note addressed to them in which Wessel wrote that he planned to kill his wife and himself. However, he penned a second note saying he wanted to turn himself in instead.
Police observed other written statements suggesting Wessel had planned to kill his wife.
Law enforcement officials booked Wessel into the Clackamas County Jail on suspicion of his wife’s murder.
According to her obituary, Anna Wessel was “best known for her extraordinary ability on the piano.” She leaves behind four children.
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It’s heartbreaking to see such a tragic story unfold. My heart goes out to Anna Wessel and her children, may they find peace and healing in this difficult time.
I find it heartbreaking to read about cases like this, where a tragic event leaves children without parents. It’s a reminder of how important mental health awareness and support are in our communities. My heart goes out to the family of both the victim and the perpetrator.