Watch CBS News

Police: Woman Shows Little Emotion After Attacking Husband With Hatchet

MANOR TOWNSHIP (KDKA) -- Police say a woman who tried to kill her husband showed little emotion Thursday morning when she was found walking near their Manor Township home in Armstrong County.

Thomas Snyder, 41, was found in the bedroom of the house he shared with his wife and their children on Garretts Run Road. The 911 call came in around 10:20 a.m.

KDKA's Ralph Iannotti Reports --

Melanie Sue Snyder, 41, was found walking up the road wearing white shorts and a t-shirt stained with blood, reportedly very calm and showing no emotion.

"Sometime that morning Melanie Snyder had attacked Tom Snyder with an ax, striking him numerous times," Scott Andreassi, Armstrong co. District Attorney, said. "It was further determined that the 911 call came from that house, from one of the [couple's children]. He was bleeding profusely and had numerous injuries about him."

The victim was found with head and neck injures that investigators say were inflicted by an 18-inch, wooden-handled hatchet. He was flown to a Pittsburgh hospital.

The couple have three children -- a 17-year-old girl and two boys, ages 6 and 13. All three were in the house at the time of the attack.

"It was subsequently determined that all three of them were located at a neighbor's house, where they had fled to after the attack," Andreassi said.

The girl called 911. She told police there was an alleged struggle, trying to get the hatchet off her mother.

The victim remains at UPMC Presbyterian, where he underwent surgery Thursday afternoon.

Police say they have no record of past problems at the Snyders' home. Investigators said they recovered the ax believed to be used in the attack, but the motive for the slashing remains a mystery.

Melanie Sue Snyder is facing several charges, including attempted homicide. Those charges could change if her husband dies.

When police tried to question her about what had taken place, she immediately asked for an attorney. And she was silent, refusing to acknowledge reporter's questions, as she left the Manor Township Police Station on Thursday afternoon.

She was transported to the Armstrong County Jail, with bail set at $500,000.

Join The Conversation On The KDKA Facebook Page
Stay Up To Date, Follow KDKA On Twitter

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.