07 February 2023 , 04:07
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A woman has been held on suspicion of murder after her husband died of what doctors described as a 'suspicious' illness.
Sarah Jean Hartsfield, 48, was arrested on Friday following a felony indictment for murder, according to Chambers County Sheriff's Office in Texas.
Her husband Joseph Hartsfield, 46, was admitted to Baytown Houston Methodist Hospital on January 7 after emergency services were called to a medical incident at a residence in nearby Beach City.
Police officers then attended the hospital at around 6pm after receiving reports from staff of a male patient suffering from a suspicious illness.
Mr Hartsfield died shortly afterwards.
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Police began an investigation after finding inconsistencies in the information provided by hospital staff before bringing in a detective.
Joseph Hartsfield, 46, died after being taken to hospital with a 'suspicious illness' on January 7 (Chambers County Sheriff's Office)Detective Skyler Rocz then discovered further inconsistences and some detail which confirmed the suspicious circumstances surrounding Mr Hartsfield's illness.
Officials told local news channel ABC13 that Joseph had diabetes, with his insulin levels understood to be abnormally high as much as six hours before the emergency services were called.
His blood glucose monitor had also been sounding an alarm for some time before medical attention was sought, they said.
The Sheriff’s Office believes his death is the result of foul play.
A warrant for Mrs Hartsfield's arrest was issued after the District Attorney convened a grand jury on Friday, which resulted in a felony indictment of murder.
She is now being held on a $5 million (£4.16 million) bond.
Commenting on the progress of the case, Sheriff Hawthorne said: "This is an active case and only limited details can be released at this time.
"I appreciate the hard work of the deputies and detectives who followed their instincts and identified the suspicious circumstances surrounding Mr. Hartfield’s death that could have been labelled as ‘death due to illness’ instead of murder”"