Mum stabs firefighter husband through heart after he cheated on her

Firefighter Michael Ricci was stabbed through the heart and killed by his wife Maria. She claimed she had been trying to defend herself from his 'manic episode'.

Michael, 51, a former army veteran and Boston Fire Department firefighter for 23 years, had three children with his wife Ricci. However, in late 2018, he was unfaithful, having a six-week affair with Janeen Bouchard, who believed Michael was separated from his wife at the time.

When Ricci discovered the affair, she texted Janeen to stay away from her husband and even confronted her at her home twice, leading to police involvement. Despite the betrayal, Ricci and Michael attempted to mend their marriage, attending therapy and renewing their vows in 2019.

Michael acknowledged his drinking problem and began attending meetings. Yet, by January 2021, the tension in their relationship was palpable.

Consumed by jealousy over Michael's affair, Ricci would aggressively question him about his infidelity, leaving him with visible injuries including bruises, scratches, and even a broken nose. It was evident that while Ricci stayed in the marriage, she hadn't forgiven or forgotten, becoming increasingly aggressive, much to the concern of their children.

On the afternoon of 28 January 2021, a distressing 911 call was made from the Ricci household. The caller was Ricci's 16 year old daughter, reporting that her father needed urgent medical attention following a fall, reports the Mirror.

Upon arrival, emergency services found Ricci in a state of hysteria, with Michael lying unconscious on the floor, showing no visible signs of injury. Ricci claimed he had collapsed, prompting the start of CPR.

However, the discovery of a bloodied five-inch steak knife on the floor revealed a more sinister reality - Michael had been stabbed. The absence of any mention of stab wounds to the paramedics raised immediate suspicion among officers, given the critical importance of accurate treatment in those initial moments.

Ricci confessed that an argument had escalated to the point where she grabbed a knife. She described a struggle ensuing, during which Michael allegedly fell onto the knife.

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Despite being rushed to hospital, Michael tragically succumbed to his injuries. He had suffered a stab wound to the chest, which had pierced his heart and caused nearly half of his total blood volume to accumulate in his chest cavity.

Additional injuries included a stab wound to the back of his left shoulder and a slash wound on his back. During questioning, Ricci admitted to arguing with her husband after he returned from shovelling snow. She alleged he was experiencing a 'manic episode', leading her to arm herself with the kitchen knife out of fear. Consequently, Ricci was charged with her husband's murder.

At Michael's funeral, he was remembered as a brave firefighter with a love for fishing and rock music. Firefighters lined the street and carried his coffin. During the trial in July this year, the prosecution claimed that the couple had been arguing. They suggested that Michael's affair had infuriated Ricci, leaving her hurt and jealous.

This led to a pattern of abuse that escalated until Michael was fatally stabbed. Friends and colleagues testified that they'd seen Michael with fat lips and black eyes. His former lover Janeen testified that Ricci had persistently contacted her after the affair had ended and had shown up at her house 'yelling and screaming'. Michael's son, Michael Jr also testified that his mum mentioned the affair almost daily.

It became so stressful that he moved out of the house in June 2019. The daughter who dialled 999 said she was 'used to' her parents arguing. On the night of the killing, she had been in her room and hadn't reacted to her parents shouting because it was so commonplace. She only realised it was something serious when her mum yelled for her to call 999.

Two years of resentment culminated in a fatal 15-minute attack. The defence argued that Ricci had the knife as she was trying to protect herself from a 'manic episode' that had been ongoing for several days. They claimed there was a struggle, and the couple had stumbled, resulting in Michael falling onto the knife.

They insisted it was an accident and her subsequent hysteria was evidence she didn't intend to kill her husband. However, the prosecution pointed out to the court that Ricci hadn't informed the first responders about the stabbing when they arrived.

Instead of seeking the best medical care for her husband, she'd attempted to conceal it. If he had fallen on the knife, how could they explain the second stab wound and the slash injury on his back? Michael also had defensive wounds on his hands.

No witnesses could confirm that Michael was experiencing a manic episode prior to his death – or had ever had one. 'The only way to put an end to the anger, jealousy and rage that consumed her was to put an end to the person who caused that pain,' the prosecution told the jury.

After a six-day trial, Ricci, 49, was found guilty of second-degree murder, and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. In August, Ricci was sentenced and loved ones gave heartfelt statements.

Michael Jr spoke affectionately about his father. 'My dad was and still is my hero,' he said. 'He was the person I looked up to and I tried to live my life the way he did. He was that constant example to me to live my life selflessly... We have years of healing we have to do.

'It's going to take a lot of time, a lot of tears and perseverance, but we have to do it alone between me and my siblings. ' Michael's brother, William, revealed that Ricci was abusive and violent and had betrayed them.

'We were in utter shock and dismay,' he said, describing the moment they discovered his brother had been murdered. 'Our family did not expect to wake up that morning and have our loved one taken away from us so suddenly and in such a horrific way.

' The judge stated that Ricci had shown no signs of remorse for killing Michael and described it as a 'cycle of escalating abuse. ' Ricci was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 20 years.

She also received a six-year sentence for assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. Ricci continued to torment her husband, leading their marriage to become toxic.

She blamed him for the problems in their relationship, but it was her jealousy and abusive behaviour that led to the final bloodshed.

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