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Man arrested for allegedly killing, dismembering wife

An Oceanside man is being questioned in connection with the death of his wife.

OCEANSIDE (CBS 8) - An Oceanside man was behind bars on Friday night accused of murdering and dismembering his 74-year-old wife.

The woman's dismembered body was found inside their home in the 400 block of North Ditmar Street shortly before 11:30 a.m., Lt. Leonard Mata said.

Police responding to reports of a strong foul odor in the neighborhood found the dead woman, who neighbors identified as Anne Marie Hengl. Investigators say she had been dead for more than a day.

Oceanside Police tracked down her husband, 68-year-old Frederick Hengl, on Friday night in downtown Oceanside. He agreed to go with officers to police headquarters to be interviewed. Hengl was later arrested on suspicion of killing his wife, Mata said.

Neighbors told News 8 that Frederick Hengl displayed some bizarre behavior in the past. A neighbor said he had spotted Hengl wearing women's clothing, jewelry, high heels, and make-up around the neighborhood.

They also say that Anne Marie Hengl was known in the community for some equally strange behavior. Several neighbors told News 8 that they has previously seen her wandering the area half-clothed, once while carrying a butcher knife, speaking incomprehensibly to herself and others.

Police confirmed that the body found in the home on Friday was dismembered. Neighbors told News 8 that they had heard the sound of power tools coming from near the home within the last week.

"I looked outside and I didn't see anything going on, I didn't see anybody working on anything, so I didn't know what to make of it," said neighbor Nancy Wells. "I just thought somebody was working in their garage."

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