Windermere PD arrests 72-year-old man for murder of wife

Windermere Police has arrested Thomas Wentzell, M.D., for the murder of his wife Linda Wentzell, confirms WPD Chief David Ogden in a press release. 

"On Dec. 2, 2024, at approximately 1:30 a.m., officers from the Windermere Police Department were dispatched to 616 Magnolia St. following a report of a deceased woman, Mrs. Linda Wentzell," Ogden wrote in the release. "Mrs. Wentzell and her husband, (Dr.) Thomas Wentzell, resided at the address and were the only individuals present at the time. Upon arrival, our responding officer promptly identified the need for a thorough investigation based on initial observations, witness statements, and the overall circumstances at the scene. To ensure a comprehensive investigation, the scene was secured, search warrants obtained and assistance was requested from the Winter Garden Police Department. ... Initial interviews revealed significant inconsistencies in (Dr.) Wentzell’s account of events, raising further questions."

Following the initial dispatch to the scene, police received a dispatch that led to the arrest of (Dr.) Thomas Wentzell, 72, and charge of second-degree murder.

"At approximately 9:55 a.m. on December 5, the Ocoee Police Department, which shares a radio channel with WPD, received a dispatch call reporting that (Dr.) Thomas Wentzell had expressed suicidal intentions," Ogden wrote. "According to the caller, (Dr.) Wentzell confessed that he 'deserved to die' because he had killed his wife. Recognizing the connection to the ongoing investigation, WPD officers immediately responded to the scene. (Dr.) Wentzell was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Windermere Police Department, where he was interviewed by Detective (Mark) Wilson and (Winter Garden Police) Detective Kevin Berger. During the interview, (Dr.) Wentzell confessed to the murder of his wife."

Additional evidence was found during the investigation, "including a voicemail confession left for a loved one and a suicide note," Ogden shared in the release. 

Although Dr. Wentzell has been taken into custody and charged with this crime, Ogden confirms the case remains open and active, and no further interviews or press conferences will be held at the moment.