POMPANO BEACH, FLA. (WSVN) - A South Florida man was arrested Tuesday and accused of killing his wife, the owner of a popular bar in Pompano Beach.
Police have charged 51-year-old Patrick Palmer with first-degree murder for the death of his 63-year-old wife, Sherry Palmer.
Patrick has been in the hospital for several days and faced a judge Wednesday, where he was denied bond.
Investigators found the couple while they were conducting a welfare check on April 17. Detectives said Patrick was found covered in blood and Sherry’s body was found wrapped in a tent in a partially dug grave in the backyard of the couple’s Pompano Beach home.
Investigators said some sort of fight broke out between the couple which led to Patrick killing his wife. Sherry’s body had reportedly been so decomposed, they needed dental records to identify her.
Patrick, who was only partially conscious when found was hospitalized.
Sherry was the owner of Chit Chat’s bar in Pompano Beach, where Patrick worked as a chef. The employees of the bar called the Broward Sheriff’s Office to report that they had not heard from the couple for some time.
7News spoke to Sherry’s sister, Mickey McCarthy, who said she is mourning with the community over the death.
“The outpouring of love — I appreciate it so much, and I’m hurting for her friends, and her Chit Chat family who loved her so much, and I know they’re hurting, and I want them to know my heart’s with them,” McCarthy said. “All of us are going to do whatever we can to honor Sherry — that’s the most important thing right now.”
Patrick is now being held in the Broward County Jail.
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