A man has been charged over the death of his wife after he trapped her in a hot tub by partially closing the lid while she was bathing in it, police have said.
Eric Huska, 58, was charged with involuntary manslaughter after police saw surveillance video that showed the incident at the couple's home in Wheeling, Illinois, police said.
They said his wife, Laura, 57, who had been drinking, was in their private outdoor hot tub when she became “distressed” and unable to get out of the tub.
Wheeling Police told the Chicago Tribune that Huska intially tried to help her out but then "partially closed the lid" while she was still in it and went inside the house.
The paper said the lid was described by police as heavy and six to eight inches thick.
Officers said that when Huska returned, his wife was "floating and unresponsive."
Mrs Huska later died after paramedics were unable to resuscitate her.
Her death was ruled a homicide caused by drowning from entrapment, according to the Tribune, citing a the Cook County's medical examiner's office.
Wheeling police told the paper alcohol was a "major factor" in the death.
Police have not provided a motive and have charged him with manslaughter, which carries a sentence of up to 14 years if convicted.
Huska's bail was set for $10,000 on Tuesday,
He is scheduled to appear in the Rolling Meadows branch of Cook County court on Thursday.
