Husband charged after wife drowns in bathtub

updated 9:23 a.m. ET Aug. 14, 2008

LEBANON, Ohio - Authorities have charged an Ohio man with murder in the bathtub drowning of his 24-year-old wife, The Associated Press reported on Thursday.

Authorities said 27-year-old Ryan Widmer of Lebanon told a 911 dispatcher on Monday night that he found his wife dead in the bath. He said his wife, Sarah Widmer, often fell asleep in the tub.

The coroner said in a preliminary ruling that the woman drowned.

But Prosecutor Rachel Hutzel said Wednesday that officials found signs of "violent force" and injury to Sarah Widmer's body inconsistent with an accidental drowning.

Ryan Widmer was being held in the county jail. His lawyer Charlie Rittgers said he doesn't understand why investigators believe the death wasn't accidental.

Authorities said the couple had been married about six months.

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