A Utah man has been charged with killing his wife after he allegedly “snapped” when she said she wanted a divorce and would not stop laughing at him during an Alaska-bound cruise last month.
Federal officials announced Thursday that a grand jury had indicted Kenneth Manzanares, 39, with first-degree murder in connection with the death of his wife, Kristy Manzanares, also 39.
The wife was found dead in her ship cabin July 25 with a head wound.
“Blood was spread throughout the room on multiple surfaces” and Kenneth was covered in blood, court records state.
Kenneth Manzanares allegedly tried to drag his wife’s body to the balcony, but he was stopped by a witness, the Juneau Empire reports.
Authorities arrested Kenneth one day later, at which point Kenneth allegedly told FBI agents, “My life is over.”
Kenneth reportedly told one witness shortly after the killing that he murdered his wife when “she wouldn’t stop laughing at me,” according to an arrest affidavit.
Before the slaying, Kenneth allegedly became agitated during dinner. When Kristy said she wanted a divorce, Kenneth is said to have “snapped,” PEOPLE reports.
The couple had dated since high school and were celebrating their wedding anniversary with their children and other family members on the cruise, a week-long trip from Seattle to Alaska.
Kenneth has yet to enter a plea in court. He has no criminal history in Utah.
Federal authorities have been leading the investigation because the crime occurred in United States waters.
Kristy’s cousin Casey Hunt said Kristy “had a glow to her and filled a room with life.”
“She was so damn nice to everyone,” Hunt told PEOPLE. “She was amazing.”
A GoFundMe page is accepting donations to help the family.
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