A man accused of murdering his 92-year-old wife allegedly claimed that "after 69 years married, we were both afraid of the future".
"Please don't call this murder-suicide," he allegedly said in a note.
"Sorry to upset all our family and friends this wasn't easy for me, especially my darling."
Donald Morley, also aged 92, faced the ACT Magistrates Court on Tuesday via audio-visual link in relation to the killing of Jean Morley.
His bail application is yet to be decided.
The deceased woman was found on Monday at a Fisher home where the couple had lived for more than 45 years.
"I have done a terrible thing," the man allegedly told a registered nurse who discovered Mrs Morley.
"I suffocated her with a pillow last night."
Morley allegedly said he had killed his wife, whom he described as "my angel", about 9pm the night before.
He also told the nurse, who visited the resident twice weekly to tend to the man, he had tried to kill himself in multiple ways.
Morley appeared in court from hospital, where he is being held in emergency detention.
He remained mostly quiet alongside Legal Aid lawyer Nathan Deakes, who applied for bail on behalf of his client.
"He's a very minimal risk to the community and others," Mr Deakes said.
ACT Policing was called to the home in Fisher about 2.40pm on Monday after an aged care worker discovered the body of the woman on a scheduled visit.
Prosecutor Caitlin Diggins acknowledged the "distressing situation" of the alleged incident and opposed Morley's bail application, citing concerns the man could attempt suicide.
"The defendant tried to take his own life three times before being arrested," she said.
Ms Diggins also told the court there was a "very strong prosecution case".
ACT Policing detective acting superintendent Matthew Innes said Mrs Morley's cause of death appeared to be suffocation, and investigations into whether it was part of a voluntary act or failed suicide pact were ongoing.
"The search is continuing at the home ... investigators are still searching the premises at this stage for any information that might assist us in relation to the death of this lady," he said.
"We're exploring all avenues of inquiry in relation to any conversations or incidents that may have taken place prior to the woman's death."
He said police were still investigating whether Mrs Morley died on the day she was found, or had been dead for some time.
Magistrate Jane Campbell said she was satisfied "special or exceptional" circumstances were met for the man's release on bail but was not willing to make a decision without knowing where he would reside.
"I don't want to keep Mr Morley in prison but on the other hand I also don't want him to kill himself," the magistrate said.
"I would be very reluctant to allow him to go to the house where he would be living by himself at this particular point in time where everything is very raw and emotions are high."
Mr Deakes said his client did not have any major health ailments but did not have any children or family with which to stay.
Ms Campbell adjourned the bail application until Wednesday morning to allow defence the time to make inquiries about possible accommodation.
Neighbours of Mrs Morley remembered her as lovely Yorkshire woman, who was outspoken at times.
Another neighbour said she had not seen Mrs Morley for about a year.
- Support is available for those who may be distressed. Phone Lifeline:13 11 14; beyondblue:1300 224 636.
