Oregon Man Shot His Wife in the Head in Failed Murder-Suicide Plot. Now, He'll Spend His Life Behind Bars.

An Oregon man shot his wife in the head and then turned himself in to police in a failed murder-suicide plot. Now, he will spend the rest of his life behind bars in connection with his wife's murder.

Around 1 p.m. on Nov. 13, 2023, police said 41-year-old Anthony Wessel arrived at the Oregon City Police Department and admitted that he fatally shot his wife inside their home in Oregon City, according to authorities.

Officers quickly responded to the residence and found 37-year-old Anna Wessel dead, police said. The couple had been married for 18 years, KATU-TV reported.

Authorities said no other people were found inside the home.

Officers said they 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.

Wessel was arrested and booked into the Clackamas County Jail. He was charged with second-degree murder and unlawful use of a weapon, officials said.

On Nov. 14, Wessel appeared in court and said he shot his wife in the head two times. He also reportedly described the gun he used, the location within the house where it happened, KPTV-TV reported.

An autopsy was completed and confirmed the cause of death being two gunshots to the head, officials said.

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On April 10, 2024, Wessell pleaded guilty to second degree murder, according to the Clackamas County District Attorney's Office.

A judge sentenced him to life in prison in connection with his wife's murder. He will be eligible for parole after 25 years, officials said.