BUNNELL, Fla. – The wife of a legally blind Flagler County man was arrested Monday on murder charges after the man's body was found at their Bunnell home last month in a case described by officials as a "Dateline"-type episode.
Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly said Dorothy Singer, the wife of Charles Singer, 48, was arrested on a charge of first-degree murder as she was planning to fake her death and flee Florida.
A judge ruled Wednesday that Dorothy Singer will be held on no bond. She also cannot have contact with the family of Charles Singer or any witnesses in the case.
Staly said Dorothy Singer was arrested on State Road A1A in neighboring St. Johns County, where she was booked into jail.
Charles Singer, also known as Butch, was reported missing by his sister on March 23, but had not been seen since February, deputies said. A cadaver dog found Singer's body April 7 on his property, according to the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office.
“She made a bunch of inconsistent statements that led us to where we are today,” a detective said.
When detectives first interviewed Dorothy Singer on March 23 she told them that she had "kicked Charles out" around the same time he was last seen, according to the arrest report.
Deputies said they requested the location of Charles Singer's cellphone and found that it was last used at the cellphone tower used by the Singer home.
Dorothy Singer has told other people that Charles was living with his sister who had reported him missing, according to the arrest report. She told his sister that he was in Georgia and did not have his cellphone.
Detectives said Dorothy Singer sent text messages from Charles' phone in an attempt to make people believe he was still alive.
Staly said Charles Singer's body was found wrapped in material and placed under a jon boat that was covered with tree debris and limbs. Moth balls were placed near the body in an attempt to disguise the smell, officials said.
Staly said Charles Singer was shot four times in the head and once in the chest. Staly said it's believed that the shooting took place in the master bedroom. A gun believed to have been used in the homicide has been recovered, he said.
Deputies had previously been called to the home twice, but neither were for domestic-related incidents, Staly said.
Dorothy Singer has two other ex-husbands, one of whom died suddenly at the age of 38 in Putnam County and was cremated, Staly said. He said he has encouraged authorities there to look further into that case. Details about her other husband are not known.
Others were living at the Singers' home, but their names have not been released. Staly said detectives continue to investigate the case.
Staly repeatedly credited his detectives for their work in the case.
"We went from a missing person case to proving it was a murder to making an arrest," he said. "This case was made for a ‘Dateline’-type of show."
Watch News 6 and stay with ClickOrlando.com for more on this story.