ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — A man is facing murder charges after police said he strangled his wife and then beat her with a hammer Thursday in St. Louis County.
Robert Leverenz, 62, was charged with first-degree murder and armed criminal action in the death of his wife, Kathleen Leverenz.
The St. Louis County Police Department said officers from its South County Precinct responded at 9:55 a.m. to the 4200 block of Leeshore Drive after Leverenz called 911 and reported that he had tried to kill his wife.
Officers arrived to find Kathleen Leverenz, 62, dead in the bedroom with injuries to her head.
Robert Leverenz told the 911 operator that he strangled his wife and struck her with a hammer several times, police said.
A neighbor told 5 On Your Side that Kathleen lived there for more than 30 years, has two sons, and she was very nice.
Another neighbor, Dave Krohn, said, "I used to walk my dog a lot up there and they always seemed like a nice couple and say hi to me in the garage. We try to look out for each other but you never know what happens behind closed doors."
The very same day of the crime, local domestic violence organizations met with Congresswoman Cori Bush to talk about the continuous disturbing trend.
The organizations that participated in this include Safe Connections, Young Women’s Christian Association St. Louis (YWCA STL), Journey Against Domestic & Sexual Abuse (JADASA), Diamond Diva Empowerment, Lydia’s House and Behavioral Health Response.
Bran-Dee Jelks, Diamond Diva Empowerment Foundation Program Director, said, "The importance of that for us to go on that town hall was to make sure individuals know if they are in a dangerous situation that there is help out here."
During this time, the organization is compiling 5,000 love packages for Valentine's Day.
The packages are tote bags with personal hygiene products and healthcare products essential to meet survivor's needs if they flee.
The bags will be delivered to local domestic violence shelters, safe houses, and the community.
"The whole purpose is to show individuals that they are loved," Jelks shared.
The last day to collect products for the event is Feb. 5.
Both the organization and Krohn believe it takes a community to make change.
"I think St. Louis we really need to tone down the crime and I think we can do better," Krohn said.
Jelks added, "If we can come together a little bit more to address what's going on and provide resources, we can possibly curb this epidemic we have here in St. Louis."
For more information on the organization, click here.
Leverenz was being held on $1 million cash only bond.
Police said Leverenz was in the hospital because he injured himself after the alleged crime.
The police department's Crimes Against Persons Unit is investigating.