A Compton man accused of slitting his wife’s throat in their home just outside of Long Beach was charged with murder and a misdemeanor count of child cruelty for allegedly committing the crime in the same room where a 1-year-old was sleeping, prosecutors said Wednesday.
Henry Cunningham, 66, faces 25 years to life in prison if he’s convicted of the charges, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office.
Cunningham had been married to his wife, Melanie Cunningham, for more than 30 years, according to authorities.
“On Dec. 17, victim Melanie Cunningham, 58, and her 1-year-old granddaughter were asleep inside the victim’s bedroom when the defendant allegedly grabbed a kitchen knife and slit her throat, killing her,” prosecutors said in a statement.
The couple lived in the 15600 block of South Frailey Avenue near where Alondra Boulevard crosses the 710 Freeway, about a mile above Long Beach’s northern border. Deputies arrested Henry Cunningham later that day, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
Authorities haven’t revealed any details on a possible motive for the killing.
Henry Cunningham is being held in lieu of $1 million bail and was expected to appear in court for the first time Wednesday.
The couple had just celebrated the woman’s birthday on Sunday, according to a family member.
City News Service contributed to this report.