Cortland, New York (WSYR-TV) - The estranged husband of a Cortland County woman found dead in her home on Memorial Day has been charged with her murder.
Charles "Randy" Thibeault, 59, was indicted by a grand jury Thursday morning in Cortland County Court on charges of second degree murder, criminal possession of a weapon, burglary and criminal contempt in the death of Wendy Thibeault.
Thibeault turned himself in at the request of Cortland County District Attorney David Hartnett.
At a press conference Thursday afternoon, Hartnett did not say what the evidence was that linked Thibeault to the crime; he also did not say whether Wendy Thibeault’s neighbors had placed Randy Thibeault at the crime scene on the day of the murder.
Wendy Thibeault, 47, was found strangled to death in her home by neighbors, according to police.
Investigators revealed new details Thursday about how she died; she was struck, shoved and kicked; she suffered blunt force trauma, had several fractured bones and cuts, and was asphyxiated.
The night her body was discovered, detectives interviewed Randy Thibeault for about 15 hours, but based on his lawyer’s advice, did not answer any questions about Wendy Thibeault’s death.
He has not been interviewed by detectives since that day, and Thibeault continues to be uncooperative with investigators.
Randy Thibeault is due back in court on July 31. He is being held at the Cortland County jail on $150,000 cash bail.
Several of Wendy Thibeault’s friends and family members attended the afternoon press conference.
In April, Thibeault filed for divorce from Randy, her husband of 22 years. Investigators say he was arrested in April after a violent incident with his wife. He was charged with endangerment, harassment, menacing and unlawful imprisonment.
Wendy had an order of protection filed against him after that incident, police said.
Several people were questioned about her death, including Wendy’s 17-year-old son, who lived with her in the Cortlandville home where her body was found.
She was a well-known volunteer at the Maple Festival. Thibeault’s friends said she would always push them to be the best they could be.
