Rowan County Woman Charged with Attempted Murder

A Rowan County woman is facing an attempted murder charge after investigators say she admitted to attacking her husband while he slept.

According to the Rowan County Sheriff's Office, deputies responded around 2:52 a.m. Tuesday to the intersection of Godbey Road and Woodleaf Road to assist EMS. They found Jerry Marlowe suffering from a severe laceration to his neck that extended to his shoulder.

Jerry's wife, Paula Marlowe, 58, told deputies she was driving him to the hospital after he woke her saying he was bleeding and needed medical attention.

Detectives with the Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigations Division responded to the couple's residence on Needmore Road, where investigators interviewed Paula Marlowe.

According to the Sheriff's Office, Marlowe confessed to assaulting her husband while he was asleep. Investigators say she told them she intended to kill her husband, set the home on fire, and then take her own life because of financial difficulties. Authorities said she abandoned the plan after becoming frightened during the assault.

Jerry Marlowe suffered serious injuries but survived the attack. Officials say he is expected to recover.

Paula Marlowe was taken into custody without incident and has been charged with Attempted First-Degree Murder. Investigators say additional charges may be filed as the investigation continues.

As with all criminal cases, the charge is an allegation, and Paula Marlowe is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.