Ohio woman drowns in bathtub; husband charged

[August 14, 2008]  LEBANON, Ohio (AP) -- Authorities have charged an Ohio man with murder in the bathtub drowning of his 24-year-old wife.

Authorities say 27-year-old Ryan Widmer of Lebanon told a 911 dispatcher Monday night that he found his wife dead in the bath. He said his wife, Sarah Widmer, often fell asleep in the tub.

The coroner says in a preliminary ruling that the woman drowned.

But Prosecutor Rachel Hutzel said Wednesday that officials found signs of "violent force" and injury to Sarah Widmer's body inconsistent with an accidental drowning.

Ryan Widmer was being held in the county jail. His lawyer Charlie Rittgers says he doesn't understand why investigators believe the death wasn't accidental.

Authorities say the couple had been married about six months.

[Associated Press]

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