Utah Man Admits to Attempted Manslaughter of Terminally Ill Wife to Ease Her Suffering

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A Utah man, DeWayne McCulla, 46, pleaded guilty to attempted manslaughter after admitting he tried to kill his terminally ill wife, Arenda McCulla, 47, in an effort to "ease her suffering" during her battle with invasive ductal carcinoma breast cancer.
Arenda was diagnosed with cancer in 2020, which later spread to her neck, brain, lungs, and liver by October 2021. Despite undergoing multiple rounds of radiation, she suffered severe radiation burns causing open sores and blisters in her throat, making it impossible for her to eat. She was placed in hospice care at her home in La Verkin, a small town in southwest Utah.
On December 20, 2021, while surrounded by six family members, DeWayne began choking Arenda. Family members had to pull him off as she gasped for air. Arenda passed away the following night due to her illness.
Her son, Anthony Ryder, who had set up a GoFundMe page for her treatment, filed a police report in 2022 regarding DeWayne's actions, prompting an investigation. According to a probable cause affidavit, DeWayne admitted to attempting to end his wife's life to alleviate her suffering. "He said he put his face up against hers and put his one hand around her neck next to her carotid artery and pushed just hard enough to help her suffering and make her pass away quicker," detectives noted.
Initially charged with attempted murder, DeWayne faced up to 15 years to life in prison. However, he accepted a plea deal and pleaded guilty to attempted manslaughter, a third-degree felony, now facing up to five years in state prison. His sentencing is scheduled for December 12.
Anthony Ryder expressed opposition to the plea deal and plans to address the court during the sentencing hearing. "She didn’t die with dignity," he told KSL in December.
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