A domestic dispute in Florida has turned into a homicide investigation after police say a woman doused her husband with acid, locked him in a bedroom, and then called 911 to report the attack.
Authorities in New Port Richey identified the victim as Robert Heyden, who died Sunday from injuries he suffered in the assault. His wife, 50-year-old Chuanying He, has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder and aggravated battery.
Police say the incident began on the evening of Aug. 21, when officers were dispatched to a home on Slippery Rock Road after reports of a domestic disturbance. When they arrived, they heard a man screaming from inside a locked bedroom. An affidavit later described how the door had been barricaded with a wooden bar and wire to prevent Heyden from escaping.
Officers eventually forced their way in and found Heyden with severe chemical burns across his body. Investigators say He had poured acid on him while he was in bed, then locked the door before calling 911 herself. Heyden was airlifted to Tampa General Hospital but died from his injuries three days later.
In a statement, the New Port Richey Police Department said the attack appeared to be “intentional in nature.” Court records show the couple had been married for just one year, but divorce proceedings were underway at the time of the killing. Police also say He admitted to trying to kill her husband.
The small community in Pasco County is typically quiet. Several residents said they were rattled by the sounds of sirens and helicopters on Thursday evening – both of which alerted them to the act of brutal violence that occurred under their noses.
Heyden’s death highlights the often-hidden dangers of domestic violence cases, particularly those where tensions escalate as couples move through the legal process of divorce. Advocates stress that these are moments when victims — and sometimes their partners — can be most vulnerable.
Chuanying He remains in custody without bond. It is not yet clear whether she has entered a plea or retained an attorney. Authorities say the investigation is ongoing, but stressed that the case is an isolated incident and there is no broader threat to the public.
