Willingboro man beaten to death with fire extinguisher, wife accused

A Willingboro woman is held without bail, accused of bludgeoning her husband to death with a fire extinguisher in their house.

Laciana Tinsley, 42, has an initial court appearance today on charges of murder and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, according to information Burlington County Prosecutor Robert D. Bernardi and Willingboro Public Safety Director Gregory Rucker.

Circumstances surrounding Monday's incident remain guarded, but investigators said that Douglas Tinsley, 74, was pronounced dead inside the Hancock Lane house at about 12:30 PM.

Detectives are trying to establish a motive. Mrs. Tinsley allegedly hit her husband in the head with the device multiple times. Investigators did not disclose how the incident came to their attention.

Mrs. Tinsley is being held at the Burlington County Jail without bail, under terms of New Jersey's bail reforms that took effect January 1 of this year.

Examination of Douglas Tinsley's remains today by Burlington County Medical Examiner Dr. Ian Hood is expected to define the cause and manner of death.

Charges are accusations. Defendants are presumed innocent unless, and until, found guilty in a court of law.