Palm Springs Man Suspected of Killing Wife

An 87-year-old Palm Springs man was behind bars today on suspicion of assisting in the death of his wife, a police sergeant said.

William Bentinck was arrested at a residence in the 2500 block of La Condesa Drive late Monday. The Riverside County Coroner's Office reported a possible unattended death at the residence at 4:10 p.m. that day, Palm Springs police Sgt. Mike Kovaleff said.

Police spoke with Bentinck and two hospice nurses, and found a 77-year- old woman dead in the home. Bentinck was arrested "based on the totality of the circumstances, including but not limited to statements and evidence," Kovaleff said.

The woman's name and cause of death will be released by the coroner's office, Kovaleff said, adding that the case remains under investigation and no more details would be released today.

He said the case would be sent to the Riverside County District Attorney's Office in the next few days.

Bentinck was booked on suspicion of murder at the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility in Banning, where he was being held in lieu of $1 million bail.