Elderly man fatally shoots wife in Connecticut: ‘This appears to be an intentional act,’ assistant D.A. says

An elderly man in Connecticut said his wife died in an accidental shooting, but investigators have uncovered evidence to refute his claims, according to authorities. 

Around noon on May 6, police discovered the body of Margaret Kokoth, 75, at her home in New Canaan and her husband, 77-year-old Albert Kokoth, covered in blood.

Albert told responding officers he “accidentally shot” Margaret while showing her his shotgun prior to a planned trip to a local gun range, according to police reports obtained by the Stamford Advocate.  

The newspaper, citing the documents, reported that when asked if Margaret was still breathing, Albert responded by “chuckling slightly" and saying, “Uh, no I don’t think she’s breathing.”

The couple’s daughter also told investigators that her father, who allegedly has dementia, had owned the firearm for years and “her mother already knew” about it, the police reports stated.  

The daughter’s husband allegedly told police that Margaret had become increasingly worried about Albert. He alleged the daughter recently said that “if they don’t do something they’re going to find [her] shot dead,” the reports said.

A neighbor reported hearing a gunshot followed by another 15 minutes later, the police reported noted, and Chief Medical Examiner Dr. James Gill later determined Margaret was shot in the head and torso. 

“It’s now pretty clear that the defendant’s version of events is not consistent with the evidence, Assistant State’s Attorney Dan Cummings said at Kokoth’s May 7 arraignment in Stamford Superior Court, noting, “This appears to be an intentional act.”

Albert faces charges of second-degree assault, second-degree assault with a firearm and illegal discharge of a firearm. Police reportedly said he could be charged with other crimes as well.

He is currently being held at the Bridgeport Correctional Center on a $2 million bond.