Autopsy confirms Apex man died of beating
According to search warrants, Jolene Kay Hardy, 55, of 3804 Perney Court, told investigators she fought with her husband, Gerald Douglas Hardy, and struck him in the head, face and body with a hammer.
Posted — UpdatedA search warrant for the Hardy’s home said Jolene Hardy told police that after her husband lost consciousness, she cleaned up the blood from his body and the scene.
She told a different story when she called 911 on July 16. In the call, Jolene Hardy said her husband, 60, left their home some time on July 15 and she went out searching for him. She said she found his body in their home as the result of that search. She told dispatchers that her husband had suffered from lymphoma for six years and went to "gang areas" hoping he would be killed so he wouldn't die of the disease.
She changed her story when investigators questioned her, the search warrants reveal. Investigators haven't commented on a motive.
Gerald Hardy's family members have said they were not aware that he had any serious illness.
Police found Gerald Hardy lying on the kitchen floor. He was cold and there were “obvious signs of rigor mortis setting in,” court documents stated.
Authorities searched the couple’s home and two vehicles at the residence. Among the items seized from the home were a laptop computer, a 10-inch pipe wrench and blood samples from paper towels, according to court documents.
A relative of Gerald Hardy, who asked for her identity to be concealed, said both Hardys complained of relationship problems as far back as 2004.
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