Why Did Charles Snelling Kill His Wife and Himself?

From every account I read Charles Snelling was a good and successful man. He was a good husband and father.

Alzheimer's Reading Room

Since we published Man Kills Wife Suffering with Alzheimer's and then Kills Himself , and Right to Die?, I have been wondering why Charles Snelling decided to kills his wife who was living with dementia, and then kill himself? Why?

After 61 years of marriage to his wife, Adrienne Snelling, and six years of caring for her he decided to end it all, abruptly.

My first immediate thought, was he suffering from depression? Did he become depressed? Almost 40 percent of Alzheimer's caregivers suffer from depression.

I wondered, did Charles Snelling make a pact with his wife? Were his actions premeditated well in advance?

What was Charles Snelling thinking, feeling?

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Last year Charles Snelling wrote a 5,000 word essay on "life" that he submitted for publication to the New York Times.

It appeared that Charles Snelling found the "act of caring" for someone living with dementia as "virtuous".

His article indicated that Charles made a good decision for his wife and him -- they decided to continue living their life.

“We continue to make a life together, living together in the full sense of the word; going about our life, hand in hand, with everyone lending a hand, as though nothing was wrong at all".

As those nothing was wrong?

I suppose it appeared to those that observed him that Charles Snelling had turned "burden into joy". The joy of caring.

And then it all ended, abruptly.

I am not going to judge Charles Snelling. I have no way of knowing what he was thinking or feeling near the end. I have no idea why he did it.

Burden? Joy? Burden?

Here is a link to an interesting aritcle on the New York Times -- Respect the Future.

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• What is Dementia?
• What’s the Difference Between Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia
• Communicating in  Alzheimer's World
• How the Loss of Memory Works in Alzheimer’s Disease, and How Understanding This Could Help You
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Original content Bob DeMarco, the Alzheimer's Reading Room

Man Kills Wife Suffering with Alzheimer's and then Kills Himself

"After apparently reaching the point where he could no longer bear to see the love of his life deteriorate further, our father ended our mother's life and then took his own life as well. This is a total shock to everyone in the family, but we know he acted out of deep devotion and profound love."

Alzheimer's Reading Room

Charles Snelling

It has been reported that Charles Snelling, a businessman and prominent Republican killed his wife, Adrienne. Both were 81.

Charles has been caring for his wife Adrienne Snelling for the last six years, Adrienne lived with Alzheimer's disease.

The couple recently celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary.

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By all accounts from family and friends, Charles Snelling was a devoted husband.

Attorney Bruce Davis, a family friend for 40 years said,

"They had a special bond, a special relationship, which they shared with their friends. It's understandable to people that knew them well that they would leave their family, leave life together."

Charles Snelling wrote about his life in the New York Times in December -- A Love Story and Redemption. Here is an excerpt.

Six years ago tragedy struck our household. My dear, sweet Adrienne was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. This relentless wasting disease destroys the mind. I have now seen many people with Alzheimer’s, and it is a terrible disease. Many, besides losing their memories and their cognitive abilities, also get downright ugly and hostile. Not my sweetie. Although she is a very, very sick puppy, she remains to this day a sweet, happy, loving and generous person. How lucky for both of us. To have such an affliction in the household is a very learning experience. Some people quite promptly disappear from your life. But others, indeed most, rally around in caring and support. It’s quite touching.


So, here comes the redemption. It never occurred to me for a moment that it would not be my duty and my pleasure to take care of my sweetie. After all, she took care of me in every possible way she could for 55 years. The last six years have been my turn, and certainly I have had the best of the bargain. So I have dug in with the will. Adrienne likes to be with me so, everywhere I go Adrienne goes as well. We have wonderful helpers here in Allentown, at Estrellita, and in Washington. Certainly they have helped me enormously, but real care for a loved one with Alzheimer’s cannot be delegated. I did not need to be told that; I felt it in my bones.

May they rest in peace.


More Insight and Advice from the Alzheimer's Reading Room

• How Alzheimer's Spreads Throughout the Brain
• Test Your Memory for Alzheimer's (5 Best Self Assessment Tests)
• What is Alzheimer's Disease?
• What is Dementia?
• What’s the Difference Between Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia
• Communicating in  Alzheimer's World
• How the Loss of Memory Works in Alzheimer’s Disease, and How Understanding This Could Help You
• Learning How to Communicate with Someone Suffering From Alzheimer's Disease
• Alzheimer's World -- Trying to Reconnect with Someone Suffering from Alzheimer's Disease
• Does the Combination of Aricept and Namenda Help Slow the Rate of Decline in Alzheimer's Patients
• Driving with Alzheimer's Can Mean Death
• About the Alzheimer's Reading Room

Original content Bob DeMarco, the Alzheimer's Reading Room