RUTHERFORD COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) — A former assistance chief with the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) arrested and accused of murdering his wife has died, according to the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office.
John Sorace was 87 years old; last month, Sorace was arrested after his wife was found shot to death in their family home in Murfreesboro. He had called police and claimed he woke up from a nap. His wife was found dead at the scene.
Arresting documents stated a .40 caliber Glock was found about eight feet away from her body and a single spent cartridge was discovered in the room. The documents added the ejection path seemed to originate from the couch.
Sorace had been in custody at the time of his death, officials said. He had spent 13 days in an area hospital to treat a pre-existing illness.
“He was in custody at the hospital,” jail administrator Kevin Henderson said. “A deputy was there the entire time.”
Sorace’s family was notified and had asked for palliative care. According to District Attorney Jennings Jones, the case will be closed due to Sorace’s death.
