Man accused of killing and cooking wife dies of cancer before trial
- Share via
SAN DIEGO - A 69-year-old Oceanside man accused of killing his wife and then cooking her body parts has died of cancer before trial.
Frederick Joseph Hengl, who had pleaded not guilty, died in the jail infirmary, the district attorney’s office said Friday.
Hengl was arrested Nov. 16, 2012, after neighbors complained of a foul odor coming from his home and the sound of a power saw. Police found Hengl’s wife’s head in a freezer and hunks of meat cooking on a stove.
Hengl’s wife, Anna Faris, 73, was reportedly suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. The couple had been married 34 years.
Neighbors said they saw Hengl outside wearing a purple dress, pink makeup and various articles of jewelry, including a pearl necklace. They also said his wife was once seen roaming outside with a knife making religious comments such as “God will smite you.”
Hengl’s preliminary hearing, delayed while he received medical treatment, was set for Nov. 18.
Twitter: @LATsandiego
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
