Michigan Man Admits Beating, Killing His Wife With a Wrench While She Was Sleeping Because He Just 'Snapped'

A Michigan man allegedly beat his wife to death using a wrench while she was sleeping on their couch inside their home. Police said Justin Wagenberg, 37, killed his 38-year-old wife, Katy Dougherty, on October 16.

According to Crime Online, Wagenberg was arrested and charged with the murder of his wife after he returned to their home in Waterford Township and turned himself in.

The Michigan man is currently being held without bond at the Oakland County Jail. In his arraignment on Tuesday, Wagenberg was ordered to take a competency exam after he appeared confused.

According to Law & Crime, Wagenberg was stammering, and when asked if he understood the judge's competency exam order, he reportedly said, "I don't know, but I'll agree to it."

Oakland County Police and prosecutors noted that they keep finding "more evidence" as they go through the couple's possessions, including their home and cars.

Michigan Man Fled to Wisconsin After Killing His Wife

Katy Dougherty's family told WDIV Local 4 Detroit that Justin Wagenberg fled to Wisconsin after killing his wife. However, he returned to their Waterford Township home, where he was arrested after turning himself into authorities.

James Dougherty, the victim's father, said the suspect just decided to turn himself in, but this was after he returned to their home and went to bed.

"Well, on the way back, he said he found Christ or something over the last month, or something, and so he decided to go back home and turn himself in, but he came home first and went to bed, for I don't know how long, and then he called the police," James told WDIV.

A woman, who was unidentified in the report, said Wagenberg told them that he snapped," and he was not on his medications, which resulted in him losing it.

Dougherty's aunt Peggy Dahl told WDIV that there were also rumors that her niece killed herself. Dahl noted that her niece would never do that because "that's not who she was."

"We didn't want people to think she killed herself because she didn't," Dahl said.

Slain Michigan Woman's Family Remembers Her

Katy Dougherty's aunt described her niece as someone who "always had a smile on her face." Peggy Dahl added that she loved her niece. Dougherty reportedly worked as a hairdresser for three different assisted living communities in Oakland County.

She has been known to give residents a complete salon-like experience, and because of her dedication, she was well-loved by many of her clients. Dougherty's family was devastated by her death and said she loved her husband to death.

"She loved him so much," Dahl said. "To death," James added.

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Written by: Rick Martin

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