Elderly man, 85, is arrested after 'stabbing to his wife, 81, to death in the back' because he didn't want to eat the pancakes she made for him

An 85-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly stabbing his wife to death because he did not want to eat the pancakes she made for him. 

Steven Schwartz is now facing murder charges for the death of his wife, Sharron Schwartz, 81, as announced by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia.

'Defendant did not want to eat the pancakes she made and stabbed her in the back,' their statement reads.

The alleged murder occurred on Sunday afternoon at the couple's home on Corcoran Street in northwest Washington, D.C. 

When officers arrived at the scene, they found Sharron inside the apartment with stabbing wounds, and Steven had 'self-inflicted injuries,' the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington said. 

Both elders were rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment, but Sharron was later pronounced dead.  

Steven told detectives he 'loved that woman for 40 years', according to a police affidavit obtained by the Washington Post. 

The 85-year-old defendant said that he had 'lost 45-50lbs in the hospital' in recent months due to physical and psychiatric disorders.

Steven said 'that his wife wanted him to get back to 180lbs,' the affidavit reads. 

In an interview with Detective Jeffery Clay, Steven describe his wife as a 'bit of a taskmaster,' but said 'she was doing it for his benefit'. 

She 'loved him so much that [she] wanted him to be well and that she wanted her partner and protector back,' Steven told officers.

The argument began on Sunday morning, when Sharon asked the defendant if he was going to have breakfast. 

Steven responded by saying 'he had a quarter of a Krispy Kreme [doughnut] the day before.' 

Steven said he told his wife that 'he would try to eat a pancake with not too much syrup,' but later changed his mind. 

'The next thing [he] heard was a plate crashing against the wall,' the affidavit said, after 'he reached and grabbed a carving knife from a holder.' 

An autopsy report later found Sharon was stabbed once in the back and the blade pierced her heart. 

Police on the scene reported that Steven was clutching a knife and refused to let go of it until an officer used a taser to subdue him. 

Steven allegedly told police that he 'leaned down and kissed' his wife as she lay on the floor, and said it was 'the most beautiful kiss'. 

He also allegedly told medical workers at the hospital: 'She doesn't deserve this. I deserve it. She does not. I killed her. Oh, my Lord.' 

Steven was arrested Thursday on the charge of second-degree murder while armed in the stabbing death of Sharron. 

He was arraigned the same day and pleaded not guilty in D.C. Superior Court. 

The defendant claimed he suffered from mental problems including depression and paranoia. 

Judge Sherry Trafford ordered him to be held without bond pending his preliminary hearing on January 2, 2024.