Michigan Man Held For Strangling Pregnant Wife

KEY POINTS

Richard Guichelaar had called 911 on the day of his wife's death, stating he had found her unresponsive in their bed
Court documents reveal the death was a homicide by strangulation/asphyxiation
Amber and Richard are parents to two other kids

A 35-year-old man has been arrested for strangling his pregnant wife at their Michigan home.

Police said Amber Guichelaar, 32, a mother of two and a teacher at a Kentwood school, was found dead on Nov. 16 at their home at 1432 Andrew SE in Kentwood. Her husband Richard James Guichelaar has been charged by Kenwood Police with murder, reports US News.

In a court filing, Det. Tim Dykgraaf said the death was declared a homicide by strangulation/asphyxiation. “Richard was the only other person present in the home at the time frame of the incident that was physically capable of causing the injuries that resulted in Amber's death,” he added.

Investigators said Richard had called 911 on the day of her death, stating he has found his wife unresponsive in their bed.

The documents stated the medical examiner found injuries consistent with an assault that occurred just before her death.

"Statements given by Richard do not fully explain the circumstances which resulted in Amber's death," the document read. Court records showed that Amber had talked to her sister via Facetime around 8:30 p.m. the previous evening.

Though it had been two months since the incident, the cause of death was listed as “pending” on her death certificate as recently as this past week, said a report. The pathologist who did Amber’s autopsy had asked Kentwood Police to do some additional investigation to assist him in determining the manner of death.

"Kentwood Police detectives believed that the cause of her death was suspicious. The detectives worked this case for almost two months, and with the help of the Kent County Medical Examiner's Office, they were able to develop probable cause to arrest a suspect for her murder," said Deputy Chief Bryan Litwin of the Kentwood Police Department.

Amber died three days before her 33rd birthday. She had earlier taught Spanish at South Christian High School where her father-in-law, George Guichelaar, formerly served as principal.

Though George refused to comment on the arrest of his son, he said they were grieving the loss of Amber and their unborn grandchild.