David Reathman (Handout)
A 65-year-old Golden man who killed his 70-year-old wife in a failed murder-suicide was sentenced to 48 years in prison.

David Wayne Reathman was sentenced Wednesday for the March murder of his wife, Barbara, said Pam Russell, spokeswoman for the Jefferson County District Attorney's Office.

During initial police interviews, Reathman said he and his wife both suffered from a gambling addiction, which had left them in financial ruin, according to an arrest affidavit.

Facing mounting bills, Barbara suggested to Reathman they kill themselves, he told police, according to the affidavit.

While she never mentioned it again Reathman told police he thought about it often weeks after her comment, and, in the early morning hours of March 25, after the couple had lost more money gambling the prior day, he decided to carry out the plan, the affidavit states.

After he killed his wife, Reathman went to the mountains hoping he would freeze to death. When he didn't, he turned himself in to police, according to the affidavit.

Reathman pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree murder, Russell said.

"We believe this is a just outcome in a very difficult case. Mr. Reathman's family may never understand exactly why this happened," said District Attorney Peter Weir in a news release.


http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_24225831/golden-man-65-sent-prison-murder-wife-70