Failed Murder Suicide Attempt

During questioning, Maria. Hower admitted to Detectives that she had been thinking about killing herself and her husband, Frank, for a long time, even during the preceding days and weeks leading up to the incident. She further admitted to attacking her husband with a vase, over his head, while he was in his chair and attempting to light him on fire as well as biting him several times. Mrs. Hower said she retrieved her husband's gun and shot him before she turned the gun on herself, attempting to kill herself.

From the San Juan Co. Sheriff's Office;

On 4/9/2016 at approximately 1138 hours, Deputies with the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to an address on County Road 2390, north of Aztec, in reference to a shooting. The reporting party told dispatch that her neighbor drove up to her house and told her he was bleeding from the head and to call 911. The reporting party also relayed to the 911 operator that the male neighbor, later identified as Francis “Frank” Hower, told her that his wife hit him over the head with a vase and then shot herself.

Mr. Hower was transported to the San Juan Regional Medical Center (SJRMC) while Deputies made contact with the female, Maria Hower, on the front porch of the Hower residence. Mrs. Hower was also transported to SJRMC.

During the investigation, Detectives learned from Mr. Hower that he and his wife of 50 years were cleaning out the RV earlier today and things seemed ok. He explained that Maria has severe sleep deprivation and is suicidal. Mr. Hower said he was sitting in his chair inside the living room when Maria came up from behind him and hit him on the top of the head with a vase. He lost consciousness for a while and recalled a struggle between the two in the living room and into the kitchen. During the course of the struggle and while in and out of consciousness, Mrs. Hower attempted to light him on fire and she bit him several times. Mr. Hower was able to make his way to the front porch where he looked up to see his wife holding his .357 revolver and shoot him. He then saw his wife cock the revolver and he heard another gunshot and believed his wife shot herself.

During questioning, Mrs. Hower admitted to Detectives that she had been thinking about killing herself and her husband for a long time, even during the preceding days and weeks leading up to the incident. She further admitted to attacking her husband with a vase, over his head, while he was in his chair and attempting to light him on fire as well as biting him several times. Mrs. Hower said she retrieved her husband's gun and shot him before she turned the gun on herself, attempting to kill herself. She said her husband was fighting back and did not want this to happen. She expressed remorse while speaking to the Detective and said she was sorry for what she had done to her husband.

Mr. Hower was treated for a blunt force injury to his head, a gunshot wound to his abdomen, and multiple burns and bites on his body. Mrs. Hower was treated for a gunshot wound to her chest. Both Mr. and Mrs. Hower are in stable condition.

An Arrest Warrant for Mrs. Hower has been issued for the charges of Attempted Murder in the 1st degree (a 2nd degree felony) and Aggravated Battery Against a Household Member (3rd degree felony).