Cynthia L. Miller

Cindy Miller

Man Killed Wife After Hearing Divorce Plan

Authorities: 47-Year-Old Said He Couldn't Go On Without Spouse

April 14, 2004

A man suspected of fatally shooting his estranged wife this week had just learned she planned to divorce him, police said in a probable cause affidavit.

Police said John M. Mitchell, 47, called 911 Tuesday afternoon to say he had shot his wife, Cynthia L. Mitchell, 42, in their Brownsburg-area home. John Mitchell was arrested minutes later, and his wife was pronounced dead at the scene.

John Mitchell told an officer that Cynthia informed him that morning by telephone she planned to file for divorce this week, according to the affidavit. The couple had separated in October, and he was living at a different residence, police said.

He then made plans to have dinner with her and their six children, the affidavit said. Before dinnertime, he took two guns to the home and shot his wife five times, he allegedly told police.

When an officer asked John Mitchell what provoked the shooting, he replied he couldn't go on without his wife, according to the affidavit.

One of the couple's six children -- a 2-year-old boy -- was at the home when the shooting happened, police said. As a result of the shooting, the children are staying with other family members, RTV6's Jack Rinehart reported.

John Mitchell, charged with murder, was being held Wednesday at the Hendricks County Jail without opportunity for bail.  His trial is scheduled for July 12. If convicted, he could face the death penalty or a prison sentence ranging from 45 years to life.