Investigators found red-stained sheets and an empty box of cold medicine at the North Carolina home where a man says he killed his wife in a medicated stupor.
Matthew James Phelps, 29, called 911 in the early hours of September 1, saying that he took cough medicine, had a dream and woke up to find his wife Lauren, also 29, dead.
He told dispatchers that he believe the cough medicine made him kill his wife.
Matthew Phelps, 29 (left), is awaiting trial on first-degree murder charges for the September 1 murder of his wife Lauren, right, also 29
‘I think I killed my… There’s blood all over me, and there’s a bloody knife on the bed. I think I did it,’ the aspiring preacher said in audio from the 911 call.
Phelps called police in the early hours of September 1, saying he took Coricidin cough medicine and woke up to find his wife stabbed to death
‘I took more medicine that I should have. I took Coricidin Cough and Cold because I know it can make you feel good and sometimes I can’t sleep at night,’ he added.
He starts to sob as he adds: ‘I can’t believe I did this. Oh God. She didn’t deserve this. Why?’
When police arrived on the scene, Lauren was still alive but mortally wounded. She was pronounced dead after being rushed to the hospital.
Her husband was taken into custody and is now facing first-degree murder charges in her death.
On Wednesday, the News & Observer published details about what investigators found in the home after carrying out a search warrant.
Phelps said he believe the cough medicine made him kill his wife in his sleep. Above, the couple’s house
Phelps pictured above in court last month. He is being held without bail on first-degree murder charges
They took as evidence a ‘white bedspread, a white sheet, and gray white comforter and several pillowcases that were all marred with an unknown red substance’ – as well as an empty box of Coricidin Cold & Cough medicine, the same brand that Phelps said he took before the murder.
They also took four computers, receipts, a mortgage statement, a knife set, credit cards, and Lauren’s iPhone from the home.
Phelps does not have a criminal record. He is currently being held at Wake County Jail without bail.
He was working for a landscaping company while studying missions and evangelism at Clear Creek Baptist Bible College in Pineville, Kentucky.
Lauren and Matthew had been married for less than a year before her death
Phelps was studying to be a preacher while working for a landscaping company