Man fatally shot wife after argument over coffee maker

Larry Lotz, 65 (left) and Karen Lotz

A domestic spat over a coffee machine turned fatal Friday, leaving an Illinois woman dead and her "adoring" husband behind bars, charged with first-degree murder and held on $3 million bail, prosecutors said. Larry Lotz, 65, snapped after his wife, Karen, admonished him for leaving the coffee maker turned on in the couple’s Barrington, Ill., home, according to police reports. After the argument, Larry Lotz walked out of the kitchen and into his home office, where he grabbed a .45-caliber handgun, Assistant State’s Attorney Chris Corbin told the Chicago Tribune. When Karen Lotz followed him into the office, Larry Lotz fired four shots at his wife, striking her three times — including once in the head, Corbin said.Larry Lotz then owned up to the twisted deed in a pair of phone calls, first to his son, and then to a 911 operator.
“I just shot my wife. I just shot my wife. Please, send an ambulance,” he reportedly told the operator.
Karen Lotz was rushed to a nearby hospital, but died shortly after. Larry Lotz also confessed to police as they arrived on the scene, and again during a videotaped interrogation after his arrest. One of the couple's children, Matthew Lotz, told reporters his father "adored" his mother.
"There's never been any violence in the house," he said.
Larry Lotz, an army vet, remains in custody. His next court appearance is scheduled for Feb. 8, DailyNews reports.