On September 12, 2016, Bernice Rice Hensley, an 83-year-old woman from Asheville, NC, tragically lost her life. She was found fatally shot inside her home by authorities who responded to a 911 call. The call was made by her husband, Samuel Lloyd Hensley, who admitted to shooting her three times.
Samuel Hensley, aged 85, was later charged with first-degree murder in connection with Bernice's death.
According to the investigation, Samuel Hensley called 911 and informed the dispatcher that his wife was in the bedroom and the gun was on the bed. When deputies arrived at the scene, they found Samuel sitting outside the home with a blank expression on his face. Bernice was found unresponsive on the bedroom floor and was pronounced dead upon the arrival of emergency officials.
The investigation revealed that Samuel Hensley had been suffering from dementia for several years, as confirmed by his daughter, Cheryl Vasone. Despite this, he was arrested and taken into custody without bond. The case remains under investigation, with detectives continuing to look into the circumstances surrounding the homicide.
The tragic incident has left the family grieving and seeking privacy during this difficult time. The community has been shocked by the news, as there were no prior domestic violence calls to the house. The legal proceedings against Samuel Hensley continued, with his first court appearance scheduled shortly after his arrest.
This case highlights the complexities and challenges that can arise when dealing with elderly individuals suffering from cognitive impairments and the tragic consequences that can result.
