Man Charged With Killing His Wife Two Years Ago

A man who told Burbank police two years ago that his wife was shot to death and he was wounded when they surprised a burglar in their home has been charged with murdering his wife, authorities said Wednesday.

Police say Daniel J. Montecalvo, 48, shot himself as part of an elaborate plan to cover up his part in the March, 1988, death of his wife, Carol, 43.

Montecalvo, who is being held without bail in Los Angeles County Jail, was arrested Tuesday night in Glendale, where he had moved after his wife’s death. He is expected to be arraigned today in Burbank Municipal Court on one count of murder.

Police Sgt. Don Goldberg said the motive for Carol Montecalvo’s murder was financial gain, but he would not elaborate. Police and Deputy Dist. Atty. Penny Schneider, who filed the murder charge, declined to discuss what evidence links Montecalvo, an unemployed hotel manager, to the case.