Share and Follow
Background: The Perry, Iowa, neighborhood where Richard Hoesing lived with his late wife (Google Maps). Inset: Richard Hoesing (Dallas County Sheriff”s Office).
On Friday, the court handed down a 50-year prison sentence, with at least 35 years to be served before the possibility of parole. This decision follows Richard Hoesing’s own call to 911, where he took responsibility for his wife’s death, an event previously covered by Law&Crime.
The tragic events unfolded on March 16, 2025, when Richard Hoesing contacted emergency services. When Perry Police Department officers arrived at the scene, they discovered Jean Hoesing deceased in the couple’s bedroom, with a severe throat laceration. The scene was grim, as officers found a kitchen knife and observed blood on Richard Hoesing’s clothing.
During the 911 call, Richard Hoesing expressed that his actions were motivated by a desire to alleviate his wife’s ongoing misery, citing her struggles with bipolar disorder and multiple sclerosis. His cooperation with authorities was noted by the police at the time of the incident.
Richard Hoesing told 911 dispatchers at the time that he “killed [his wife] to put her out of her misery,” explaining that she had been suffering from bipolar disorder and multiple sclerosis. Police said Richard Hoesing was cooperative when they encountered him at the couple’s home. A kitchen knife was found at the scene, and Richard Hoesing had blood on his clothes.
Police originally charged Richard Hoesing with first-degree murder. He pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of second-degree murder to avoid a life sentence. However, as local CBS affiliate KCCI reported, the decades-long sentence handed down to Richard Hoesing essentially meant that he would spend the rest of his life in prison.
Richard and Jean Hoesing were married for 52 years and worked together at an auto parts store that they owned together. They shared a son.