90-Year-Old Man Accused of Trying to Strangle Wife, 86

An 86-year-old woman remained in critical condition Thursday after her 90-year-old husband allegedly tried to strangle her in their mobile home.

Sheriff’s deputies arrested Alfred Pohlmeier in the incident Wednesday. He is in the Ventura County Jail awaiting arraignment and could be charged with attempted murder, officials said.

Officials said it was unclear whether the incident was an attempted mercy killing or a malicious attack.

Deputies were called to the El Dorado trailer park on Telegraph Road in Fillmore just after 6 a.m. Wednesday by Pohlmeier, who told a 911 operator that his wife Lidwina was choking.

She was taken to Santa Paula Memorial Hospital, where employees noted suspicious wounds and bruising, authorities said.

After some hesitation, Alfred Pohlmeier confessed to trying to strangle his wife, according to officials.

“He said he wanted to see her go before he did because she was ill,” sheriff’s spokesman Bruce Hansen said. “It’s a really sad situation. We don’t relish the idea of charging him . . . but we must follow what the law mandates we do.”

The couple shared a two-bedroom trailer, which is surrounded by pine bushes and roses. Neighbors said they were shocked when they heard about the incident.

“I never thought he would try to kill her,” said Harry Thompson, who said he has known the Pohlmeiers for 15 years. “Once in a while he would yell at her, but that was the extent of his abuse.”

According to Thompson, the couple had been married for more than 60 years and have five adult children. One of the couple’s children, Larry Pohlmeier of Simi Valley, declined to comment on the incident when reached at his home.

Lea Wischman, a next-door neighbor in the mobile home park, said Lidwina Pohlmeier was a quiet woman who kept to herself and who was often sick.

“Alfred would take her to the hospital at least once a week and I know he was tired of that,” Wischman said, adding that Pohlmeier confided in her just last week that he “did not know what to do” about his wife’s ailments.

Wischman described Alfred Pohlmeier as a friendly neighbor with whom she often chatted while he worked in his front yard.

Alfred Pohlmeier, who is scheduled to be charged in court today, is being held on $250,000 bail.