Former Ohio-state-university/">Ohio State University music professor James Hill has been sentenced to life in prison, with the possibility of parole after 15 years, after pleading guilty to killing his wife and attempting to stab the couple’s dog. Hill is 77.
Court documents say Hill told investigators that on November 9, 2025, a woman he had met online threatened to share nude photos he had sent her unless he paid $15,000 in Apple gift cards. He said he felt trapped and believed he had no way out.
Hill said he first looked for a gun but could not find it, then took a knife. According to his account to investigators, his 64-year-old wife, Mary, was at her computer in their den when he approached her from behind and stabbed her in the chest. He said he apologized as he held her while she died.
He then went to the living room and tried to stab their dog. Court documents say the animal was struck but escaped. Before calling 911, Hill deleted photos and documents from his computer. He called emergency services at about 2:30 p.m., then stabbed himself in the chest. Officers arrived four minutes later, according to WBNS.
Hill initially pleaded not guilty. On October 28, 2026, he changed his plea and admitted to felony murder and cruelty to a companion animal. The sentence allows him to seek parole after 15 years.
Sources: TMZ.