An 88-year-old Texas man has confessed to shooting and killing his terminally ill wife of 65 years in what authorities describe as a failed murder-suicide attempt.
Tragic Morning in Galveston Home
Ernest Leal Sr. told Galveston Police Department investigators that he shot his 89-year-old wife, Anita 'Annie' Leal, while she lay in her bed on November 17 around 5 am. The incident occurred at their two-story home along the Texas Gulf Coast.
Police were alerted to the emergency when a medical alert device was activated at the residence. These wearable devices allow users to call for help by pressing a button. Upon arrival, officers discovered Annie Leal on the floor with a fatal gunshot wound to the head.
Confession and Failed Suicide Attempt
During questioning, Ernest Leal admitted to the shooting but claimed he intended to take his own life afterward. The elderly man stated the gun failed to discharge when he turned it on himself, leading to the failed suicide attempt.
Leal explained that his wife had been suffering from an undisclosed terminal illness and had expressed that she "no longer wished to live." He told investigators he was "going crazy" at the time of the incident, unable to bear watching his wife of 65 years continue suffering.
Family Legacy and Legal Consequences
The couple leaves behind a substantial family legacy, including three grown children, several grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. According to her obituary, family members affectionately called Annie Leal "Mimi" or "Mimi Annie."
Ernest Leal has been charged with murder and made his first court appearance in a wheelchair. During the hearing on November 28, 2025, his bond was significantly reduced from $250,000 to $80,000 by the presiding judge.
The case continues to develop as authorities investigate the circumstances surrounding the tragic death of Annie Leal and the failed suicide attempt by her husband of 65 years.
