Montgomery County

Police: Husband Held in Murder of Wife in Montgomery County

Montgomery County Police say a Gaithersburg man has been charged with his wife's death after confessing the crime to a member of his church.

Police say 51-year-old Cola Winbone Beale called a parishioner of First Baptist Church of Upper Marlboro, the church Beale attended with his wife, and confessed to killing his wife.

The church member then called police, and the body of 47-year-old June Carlita Beale was found inside her home in the 18000 block of Hallmark Court in the Flower Hill area around 10:30 a.m Sunday.

Police say June suffered blunt-force trauma to her body.

Montgomery County Police said they were able to speak with Cola Beale on the phone, and he again confessed to killing his wife. He told the officers that he was in Norfolk, Virginia, was later picked up by local law enforcement officers.

Beale is awaiting extradition in Norfolk. When returned to Montgomery County, he will face a charge of first-degree murder. 

Records indicate police have been called to the Beale home in the past to break up an argument between the couple.

"One time in the last year, we were called to that address for an allegation of domestic violence," Capt. Paul Starks with Montgomery County police said.

First Baptist Church declined an interview request from News4's Chris Gordon, telling him, "We don't know anything about that."

There have been 13 murders this year in Montgomery County, and in nearly every one of them, the victim knew their killer.

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