Husband murdered wife by putting heroin in her cereal, police say

Police arrest man on murder charges after official cause of death is changed from accidental overdose to homicide

Police have charged a Michigan man with first-degree murder after a five-year investigation into his wife's death. (Getty/iStock)

A man who allegedly killed his wife by slipping heroin into her cereal has been arrested on murder charges in Michigan, according to police.

Jason Harris was arraigned on Tuesday over charges of first-degree murder, solicitation of murder and delivery of a controlled substance causing death for the reported killing nearly five years ago.

A county medical examiner originally declared the death of Christina Harris an accidental overdose, but changed it to homicide last week. Police said their investigation began when the woman’s body was discovered by a neighbour in September 2014.

“We believe Jason Harris murdered his wife," David Leyton, a Genesee County prosecutor, said in a statement. “We believe he put heroin into her cereal and milk the night that she died after getting it from someone, thinking it would be tasteless and odourless much like he had asked his coworkers multiple times.”

Mr Harris’ coworkers and relatives told investigators he had a history of making disturbing remarks about his wife, at times talking to those close to him “about getting rid of Christina Harris,” Mr Leyton said. He reportedly told coworkers he previously attempting drugging his wife with Xanax in her water, but that she would immediately taste the pills and stop drinking.

He repeatedly offered people lump sums of money to kill his wife, including a coworker and a man who has since been arrested, so that he could allegedly avoid the hassle of getting a divorce, the prosecutor said.

The night of her death, Mr Harris told a neighbour his wife was hungry and passed out while eating a bowl of cereal he made for her, according to police.

The neighbour told investigators they found Ms Harris on a bed inside her home the next day at 10 am, after Mr Harris asked them to check on his wife. Police arrived after a second neighbour — who is a nurse — came to the house and “immediately recognised” Ms Harris was dead, Michigan Live reported.

Mr Harris has pleaded not guilt and denied the accusations against him through a lawyer, who said in a statement: “Mr Harris has been completely cooperative throughout this five year investigation and is eager to have all of the facts revealed when this case is presented.”

He has been held without bond while awaiting court hearings next month. The couple’s children have since been provided assistance by Children’s Protective Services.

Prosecutors described Ms Harris as “an incredibly loving mother” who just received a promotion at her job, where she served as a mentor to a coworker.

“It’s been a long, hard road to get here,” Mr Leyton said. “We want justice for Christina and for the community and for mom and dad.”