Sleepwalker Kills Wife

Brian Thomas, 59, of Neath, South Wales, has admitted to strangling his wife, Christine, 57, while they were on vacation in West Wales, according to a Fox News report.  

Apparently, Thomas has suffered from sleep disorders for nearly 50 years.  He and his wife had been married for almost 40, an anniversary they were due to celebrate soon.  People close to the couple claimed they were a very happy, devoted couple, and are extremely surprised something like this could have happened.

The couple had been sleeping in their camper when they awoke to "boy racers", at which time they decided to move their camper.  After getting readjusted and falling back asleep, Thomas had a terrible nightmare in which the boys they had trouble with earlier, broke into their camper van. He then awoke and found himself next to his wife's lifeless body.  Thomas immediately called for emergency assistance in which he stated, "I think I killed my wife.  Oh my God.  I thought someone had broken in.  I was fighting with those boys, but it was Christine. I must have been dreaming or something.  What have I done?  What have I done?  Can you send someone?"  Thomas was crying and shaking when he was found by the police officers that were called to the scene.  He claimed his wife was, "... my world".

Prosecutors did accept the findings of the medical experts who confirmed Thomas did suffer from a sleep disorder.  They reported to the Swansea Crown Court that they would not seek a conviction for murder or manslaughter.  The prosecutor goes on to claim that the defendant accepts that he caused the death of his wife, however, they will seek what is called a "special verdict", a verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity.  If he is found not guilty by reason of insanity, he will be subjected to a psychiatric hospital, and there is a possibility he could be detained there indefinitely. 

This is one of those extremely sad and incomprehensible tragedies that make you question everything about the defendant, but also makes you feel very, very sorry for him if all he claims is true.  So many of us have had dreams that seemed so real, and you have lay there for a minute and convince yourself it wasn't real.  Although, on the other hand, it's so difficult to imagine performing a physical strangulation on someone while sleeping and not realize what you were doing.  I guess that is where the sleep disorder comes into play; a disorder is something not normal.  Perhaps it did happen exactly as Thomas claimed.

According to the medical experts, their tests did confirm that his behavior was "consistent with the legal concept of automatism."  The prosecutors say, "In other words, at the time of the killing, the defendant was asleep, and his mind had no control over what his body was doing."

Regardless of what his conviction brings, this man has to live with this tragedy, along with the other family members.  There will be a great many sad years ahead of them.