Sixty-one-year-old Dottie Amtey remains in jail for allegedly strangling her 77-year-old husband in their home late Wednesday night.
Friends told ABC11 that there were growing tensions inside their home, and Dottie seemed troubled at times.
Sources say investigators believe the couple was arguing over their cable TV when Sharad Amtey pulled the cable plug, and sent his wife over the edge.
"Surprise, shock. I knew them and to find out the circumstances of it was really amazing to me," said Bob Tyson.
Sharad Amtey was Bob Tyson's graduate adviser in the mid-1970s at West Virginia University and was newly married to Dottie at the time. Tyson described him as laid back.
"His personality was very nice and we got along well, but I still had the respect for him as the professor and me as the student," said Tyson.
Sharad Amtey eventually retired and moved to Cary with his family, but his health began to fail.
With financial problems mounting, court documents reveal the couple was tens of thousands of dollars in debt. Records also show police were called to the home several times over the years, but over incidents involving the couple's grown children.
A team leader in Dottie's running group who said she sometimes spoke of her family troubles but never went into detail. Another close friend said Dottie, who was a computer professional and nurse, was the sole financial provider for her family. Friends she was always concerned for her husband's well-being and did what she could to make him happy.
Friends were told they could visit Dottie Amtey within 24 hours after she was booked into the Wake County Jail. However, today, they said they were turned away saying Dottie isn't allowed to see anyone.
ABC11 called the sheriff's office to find out why, but they say that information isn't public.
In the meantime, her running group says they're working to get her a prepaid debit card and toiletries until they can see her.
See It On TV | Report A Typo |
Send Tip |
Get Alerts | Send us photos
Follow @abc11 on Twitter | Become a fan on Facebook
