Former principal sentenced after admitting to killing wife with hammer

Former Indiana middle school principal has been sentenced to 15 years in prison after being convicted of voluntary manslaughter for killing his wife with a hammer.

Terry Ogle, 79, was sentenced on July 17 after a Marion County judge found him guilty in the January 2025 death of his 76-year-old wife, Mary Ogle, as per People. He had originally faced a murder charge, but the court ruled he acted under "sudden heat," reducing the conviction to voluntary manslaughter.

Terry Ogle admitted killing wife during 911 call

According to court documents, Ogle called 911 on Jan. 17, 2025, and told a dispatcher he had "bludgeoned" his wife to death with a hammer at their Indianapolis home.

When asked about the emergency, Ogle reportedly said there had been "some violence" before adding that his wife was already dead. He also told the dispatcher he had been struggling with depression and believed his wife was having an affair.

"I just lost it. I think she's having an affair. So, I lost it," he reportedly said.

Responding officers found Mary Ogle dead in a bedroom with apparent blunt-force head injuries. Investigators recovered two hammers, several knives, blood-stained items and other evidence from inside the home.

Text message to daughter revealed confession

Authorities said Ogle also sent a text message to the couple's daughter after the killing, admitting what he had done and telling her he was "going to jail."

Police said Ogle was taken to hospital with self-inflicted cuts to his wrists before being arrested.

The couple retired from education in 2006. Terry Ogle served as principal of Forest Manor Middle School, while Mary Ogle was a teacher.