A man shot and killed his wife in the early hours of Wednesday while she slept in Chabtine in the Batroun district of northern Lebanon.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the killer is suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.
The initial probe found that Georges N., 66, used a rifle to shoot his wife, Eline Sassine, 65, around 2 a.m. on Wednesday. He also fired shots in other parts of the house.
Witnesses said he cried beside her, the victim’s body covered in blood.
He told neighbors: “Look what I’ve done. Call the Red Cross.”
Observers expressed profound shock at the incident, ruling out any premeditated motive for the crime.
N. suffers from Alzheimer’s disease, along with other illnesses. He used to work at Liban Cables before his retirement. The couple had a daughter and a son, and there seemed to be no marital disputes between them.
The security forces transported the victim’s body to hospital in Batroun, while N. was taken to Batroun Police Station for questioning.
Chabtine Mayor Antoine Abboud said: “The man did not intentionally kill his wife. The man suffers from a mental illness; he is unaware of what he has done.”
Most Lebanese families with relatives suffering from Alzheimer’s take care of them at home.
According to the Alzheimer’s Association Lebanon: “Dementia affects more than 7 percent of Lebanon’s population, which is higher than the global prevalence rate.
“As the disease progresses, dementia patients require more care and attention, placing a burden on the caregivers, often expected to be younger relatives, impacting their mental and psychological health, family life, livelihood, and financial security.”
Dr. Georges Karam, head of the association, said that in Lebanon there was a widespread belief that older adults, especially those suffering from dementia, were no longer aware and should stay at home without any activity, even as their physical and mental health deteriorated over time.
The country has about 30 elderly care centers linked to the Ministry of Health, some of which specifically cater to those suffering from dementia and Alzheimer’s.
The centers are predominantly operated by social institutions affiliated to Lebanon’s various sects, while others are private operations either located within hospitals, or stand-alone facilities.
During the Middle East and North Africa Regional Conference of Alzheimer’s Disease, which was held in Beirut in 2019, a study projected that the number of sufferers worldwide could reach 153 million by 2050.
The projected increase is considered to be mainly attributed to global population growth, aging demographics, and risk factors such as smoking, obesity, high blood sugar, and low education.