A man has been accused of creating a GoFundMe page following allegations of poisoning and causing fatal injuries to his husband, as revealed in court proceedings.
Timothy Smith, aged 59, was discovered deceased in his residence in Florida on the evening of March 23, 2023, according to law enforcement sources.
Herbert Swilley purportedly administered a significant dose of diphenhydramine to his spouse, leading to unconsciousness, followed by physical assault and strangulation resulting in death, as per court testimonies.
Swilley is charged with relocating his partner’s body to another property they owned and fabricating a crime scene to implicate one of their intimate acquaintances.
Subsequently, the accused initiated a GoFundMe campaign to gather donations for a memorial event in honor of his deceased husband.
In the fundraiser description, Smith, aged 55, was described as having passed away unexpectedly, expressing the emotional difficulty of sharing the news.
Approximately £3,000 was raised towards a £6,000 objective before the campaign was deactivated.
During the initial court arguments on Monday, prosecutors illustrated that their eight-year matrimony became strained when Smith assumed the role of the primary breadwinner.
Despite Swilley continuing as a handyman, their financial stability relied on Smith’s earnings to sustain their desired lifestyle, leading to Swilley harboring resentment over time.
The couple grappled with alcohol issues and sought assistance, but ceased when disagreements escalated following sobriety.
Meanwhile, Smith was reportedly exploring job opportunities in a different district to potentially separate from Swilley.
Allegedly, Swilley remarked to a confidant about Smith’s intention to leave, indicating a sense of betrayal and a refusal to allow the departure.
Swilley’s purported motive included benefiting from a £233,000 life insurance policy on Smith and a £38,000 retirement fund, with Swilley as the designated beneficiary.
Utilizing diphenhydramine as a means to incapacitate Smith, the prosecution claimed that the excessive dosage rendered Smith unaware of the ensuing attack.
Prosecutor Amy Beth Berndt asserted that Swilley physically assaulted Smith, followed by strangulation severe enough to fracture his neck.
The trial is ongoing.