Updated: Kansas City man charged in death of wife
A Kansas City, North, man found sleeping near the body of his dead wife has been charged with first-degree murder.
Thomas C. Santamaria Jr., 42, is charged in Clay County Circuit Court with killing Yuvett Santamaria, who was found dead Tuesday morning inside the couple’s home in the 5300 block of N.E. 56th Place.
A friend who went to check on the couple called Kansas City police. Officers found Yuvett Santamaria on the bedroom floor and later determined that she had been beaten, according to court documents. Thomas Santamaria was found wearing blood-stained clothing sleeping on the bed in the same room.
After officers woke him and led him out of the house, he allegedly told a friend standing outside, “I guess I won,” according to court documents.
People who knew the couple later told investigators that Thomas Santamaria had made statements about killing his wife and then himself, according to the court documents.
Clay County court records show that a $1 million bond is set for Thomas Santamaria.
Tony Rizzo, trizzo@kcstar.com
This story was originally published March 25, 2015 at 9:16 AM with the headline "Updated: Kansas City man charged in death of wife."