Editor’s note: This article, originally published at 8:14 a.m. on July 6, 2025, was updated at 11:47 a.m. on July 7, 2025, with more information from county police about the incident and the suspect.
Montgomery County police have charged Vivian Stewart Nation, 80, with first-degree murder after he allegedly killed his wife in their Leisure World apartment Saturday, the department said Monday morning in a press release.
Police are investigating the death as a homicide, the department said in a statement Saturday.
The death occurred inside a private residence and involved family members, Jim Rudnick, Leisure World director of security and transportation, wrote in a message sent Saturday evening to the senior living community.
“At no time was there any threat or danger to other residents or the broader community,” he said.
Police confirmed in Saturday night’s statement that the incident was “isolated” and there was no threat to the community.
According to police, officers and Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service crews responded shortly after 6 p.m. to the 3300 block of N. Leisure World Blvd. for the report of “a person in cardiac arrest.”
When officers arrived they met with Leisure World security and made contact with Nation inside his apartment. There, first responders found Nation’s wife, Beverly Fletcher, 78, suffering from multiple stab wounds and “possible blunt force trauma,” the release said. Fletcher was pronounced dead at the scene.
Fletcher’s body was transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore for an autopsy. The cause of death was determined to be multiple sharp force injuries, and the manner of death was ruled a homicide, police said Monday.
Nation was taken into custody and transported to the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit, the release said. He is scheduled for a bond hearing on Monday afternoon at the Montgomery County District Court in Rockville.
MCPD is on scene of a homicide investigation in the 3300 block of North Leisure World Blvd.
— Montgomery County Department of Police (@mcpnews) July 5, 2025
An adult female pronounced dead on scene. An adult male is in custody.
Scene is secure and no threat to the public. #MCPNews #MCPD pic.twitter.com/M4ZuCf6Syz
