LAKE WALES, Fla. — Polk County Sheriff's Office homicide detectives arrested 73-year-old Ronald Strouse on Tuesday and charged him with first degree murder in the death of his wife.

  • Authorities found victim with severe bruising 
  • The couple got into an altercation
  • Strouse will make first appearance this afternoon 

According to authorities Ronald and his wife, 72-year-old Susan Strouse had gotten into a physical altercation and when deputies arrived, she was found dead with severe bruising on her body.

Strouse was booked into the Polk County Jail and will have his first appearance hearing at 1:00 p.m. this afternoon.

"This was a particularly brutal murder. We aren't sure why Ronald Strouse murdered his wife of 50 years, but one thing we are sure of is that he will be held accountable for his actions,” Sheriff Grady Judd said.

The autopsy for Susan will be conducted this morning.