Utah Prosecutors Seek Arrest of Man Accused of Attempted Murder on Terminally Ill Wife

Utah prosecutors have recently sought the arrest of DeWayne McCulla, a widower accused of attempting to kill his wife, Arenda Lee McCulla, who lost her battle with cancer nearly two years ago. The arrest warrant was signed by a Fifth District Court judge on Wednesday, charging DeWayne McCulla with attempted murder. The incident allegedly occurred on December 20, 2021, one day before Arenda McCulla's death in a hospice. La Verkin police officer Steve Johnson filed an affidavit supporting the man's arrest, stating that DeWayne McCulla had admitted to trying to choke his wife to death in an attempt to end her suffering.

According to Johnson's affidavit, DeWayne McCulla claimed that he wanted to ease his wife's suffering as she was dying from cancer and receiving hospice care. However, other family members disputed his assertion that it was an attempted mercy killing. Arenda McCulla's son, Anthony Michael Ryder, witnessed the incident and described how it unfolded. Ryder stated that at first, it seemed like DeWayne McCulla was caressing his wife, but then her breathing became irregular and she started struggling. Ryder noticed DeWayne's hand on his mother's neck and saw him becoming more aggressive, even using the hospice bed for leverage. Ryder and another family member had to intervene, fighting off DeWayne McCulla for about 20 minutes. Ryder eventually had to choke him to stop the attack.

Ryder expressed frustration that it took two years for authorities to seek DeWayne McCulla's arrest. However, he also acknowledged relief that justice was finally being pursued. A court spokesperson confirmed that it was unclear whether DeWayne McCulla was currently in custody, and attempts to reach a Washington County prosecutor and a representative from La Verkin police for comment were unsuccessful.

The charging documents obtained by KSL revealed more details about the incident. DeWayne McCulla allegedly choked his wife in an attempt to end her suffering while they were in hospice care. Six family members had to pull him off Arenda McCulla when they saw her struggling to breathe. In his confession to the police, DeWayne McCulla admitted to placing his hand over his wife's neck during the incident. He also stated that he would do it again because he loved her.

The reasons for the murder charges being filed nearly two years after the incident remain unclear. If found guilty of first-degree murder, DeWayne McCulla could face a prison sentence of 15 years to life, in accordance with state law. Arenda McCulla had been diagnosed with breast cancer in 2020, which eventually spread to her brain, neck, lungs, and liver. She underwent multiple rounds of radiation and chemotherapy, but her condition continued to deteriorate.

Before her death, Arenda McCulla had expressed a desire to travel to Oregon, where terminally ill patients have access to lethal medications. Her family had started an online fundraising campaign to support her trip and document her final journey. Arenda, originally from Binghamton, NY, had moved to southern Utah in 2005 and was known for her love of mountain biking. She had also volunteered at a youth rehabilitation center for several years.

Arenda McCulla's son, Anthony Ryder, shared his heartfelt tribute to his mother on her GoFundMe page. He described her as his first love, friend, and sometimes enemy. He expressed his sorrow at losing the childhood memories they shared and the pain of witnessing her final moments. Despite the hardships they faced, he emphasized his love for her.

The case has garnered attention due to the circumstances surrounding the alleged attempted murder and the delay in seeking DeWayne McCulla's arrest. As the legal proceedings continue, the hope is that justice will be served for the late Arenda McCulla and her family.