Illinois Woman Drowned In Hot Tub After Husband Allegedly Closed Lid On Her

WHEELING, IL — An Illinois man has been charged with the involuntary manslaughter of his wife after they spent an afternoon drinking in their hot tub. Police say the husband closed the lid of the hot tub while his wife was still inside it, causing her to drown.

Eric Huska, 58, has been charged with the involuntary manslaughter of Laura Huska, 57. In addition, authorities say they have security-camera video that depicts exactly what happened.

According to the police, the surveillance footage shows Laura attempting to get out of the hot tub, and, at first, Eric appears to help her. After she falls back into the water, though, the video reportedly captures Eric pulling the hot tub’s lid over and partially closing it.

Police say that Laura struggles briefly and then stops, after which Eric can allegedly be seen completely closing the lid completely and walking away to enter the couple’s home.

As Wheeling Police Deputy Chief Todd Wolf told the press, “For whatever reason, he put the cover over her head. We are sure alcohol played a major factor.”

Ninety minutes later, according to an official police statement, Eric reappears on the tape, opens the cover and, finds Laura “floating unresponsive inside the closed hot tub.”

From there, Eric Huska called 911, but emergency responders were unable to revive Laura. The Cook County medical examiner’s office ruled that Laura Husker died as a result of “drowning by entrapment.”

Eric Huska has no prior criminal record, and the couple never had any previous encounters with police. No known motive has been suggested at this time.

If convicted, Eric Huska could face three to 14 years in prison.

Read more: People, CBS Chicago, Daily Herald