'I have not committed a murder in all my life': Senior with suspected dementia accused of killing wife

An elderly Calgary man accused of killing his "soulmate" wife of 56 years possibly while in the grips of dementia seemed confused as he appeared in court Friday before being sent for further psychiatric assessment.

Fred van Zuiden doesn't even understand his wife of 56 years is dead, family friends say

Meghan Grant CBC News Posted: Nov 04, 2016 1:35 PM EDT | Last Updated: November 4, 2016

Fred van Zuiden, 85, is charged with second-degree murder in the death of his wife of 56 years. He is suspected to have dementia and family friends say he doesn't understand his wife is dead. (Facebook)

"Am I in court?" asked Fred van Zuiden, 85, as he shuffled into the prisoners' box, escorted by sheriffs.

Van Zuiden is charged with second-degree murder in the death of his 80-year-old wife, Audrey van Zuiden, in October.

It's believed a sheriff may have told van Zuiden that he was charged with murder right before he walked into the court.

Audrey and Fred van Zuiden, shown on their wedding day, were 'soulmates,' friends say. (Submitted by Valerie Walker)

"I have not committed a murder in all my life," he said in a Dutch accent as he was leaving.

"In this wonderful country, how can you do such a thing?"

Van Zuiden was previously known for writing a best-selling memoir about dodging the Nazis for two years as a boy in occupied Holland during World War II.

Family friends Vince Walker and Gordon van Gunst, who were at court Friday, say van Zuiden doesn't understand his wife is dead.

"It doesn't stick, it doesn't register, which is a good thing," said van Gunst.

InOctober, forensic psychiatrist Dr. GeorgeDuskatestified thatvanZuidenprobably has dementia.

Duskatold court thatwhen he examined vanZuiden, the seniorthought he was being spoken to by a doctor because of a decades-oldskiing accident and did not understand where he wasor why he was at court.

Elderly man charged with killing 'soulmate' wife may have dementia, court hears

"He is very ill," defence lawyer AlainHepnersaid Friday.

"I think you can see from his conduct in the courtroom that dementia is a very live issue."

After thatfirst court appearance, vanZuidenwas sent to the Southern Alberta Forensic Psychiatric Centreto determine whether he was mentally fit to stand trial.

On the second court appearance on Friday, a further 30-day psychiatric assessment was ordered.

Vince Walker and Gordon van Gunst are close family friends with the van Zuidens. Walker says it's 'very painful' to watch Fred, who is clearly confused, in court. (Meghan Grant/CBC)

Decades-long love story

On Oct. 4, he called police to his home where his wife was found dead.

Family friends say they suspectvan Zuiden hasbeen suffering with dementia for a long time, but believeAudrey wanted to care for him herself.

"[It's] very painful," Walker said afterseeing his godfather and close family friend in court.

Walker described the couple as "soulmates" who loved each other "incredibly."

"More stresses for Fred are not good. We're really, really looking forward to having him in the right place with the right care."