KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Stanley Reimer, a Kansas City man pleaded guilty Friday in Jackson County Circuit Court to second-degree murder in the death of his wife.
Reimer, 52, admitted to throwing his wife, Criste, off the balcony of their 4th floor Plaza Point apartment in August 2007.
Court documents state Reimer, the former Art Museum accountant, told police he was experiencing extreme financial difficulties and could not afford the bills to care for his wife any longer. Criste had numerous health issues involving her brain and her legs. A caregiver told police Criste could barely walk. Police said Reimer was desperate because he could not pay the bills for his wife’s treatment for neurological problems and uterine cancer.
Criste Reimer had been in ill health for several years. Her weight had fallen to 75 pounds and she was partly blind. According to the court records, she had no health insurance to pay for medical bills that ranged from $700 to $800 per week.
The couple attended Leawood United Methodist Church in Kansas, and Senior Pastor Rob Winger described them as “good, kind folks.”
“They were a couple of people who always sent birthday and anniversary cards to other church members,” Winger said.
Church member Pat Snowden said that they attended the church about 15 years and that it seemed he was trying to take good care of her.
Criste Reimer had a big interest in scrapbooking and also collected cookbooks, recipes and teddy bears. Online, she had used the name “cudlypoo.”
Reimer told police he walked with his wife to the balcony of their apartment, kissed her, picked her up and threw her from the balcony.
Reimer was sentenced to life in prison. He is eligible parole after serving a little more than 25 years under the plea agreement.
It is sad when debts ruin lives. As my father always told me “its only money!” There are always solutions and often not nearly as painful as people think!