Castor Gardens man charged for wife’s murder, home invasion lie

The Philadelphia District Attorney’s office has filed charges against a Castor Gardens man for lying about a home invasion and the circumstances of his wife’s death.

Judith Hartdegen, 74, died Monday in the couple’s home on the 6700-block of Castor Avenue. Her husband Lou, 75, who suffered injuries, told police they couple had been victims of a home invasion perpetrated by a neighbor.

Police announced Tuesday that Lou Hartdegen had later confessed to killing his wife during an argument. Hartdegen is charged with murder, possession of an instrument of crime, abuse of a corpse, false reports, unsworn falsifying and aggravated indecent assault. He is being held without bail.

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