An Apex woman, charged with murdering her husband, told investigators that the two had engaged in a physical altercation during which she “struck her husband about the head, face and body,” court documents stated.

It was shortly after 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 16, when police responded to a 911 call at the couple's home on Perney Court in Apex.

Upon their arrival, investigators discovered a deceased male on the kitchen floor of the residence.

The following day, Wake County Investigators arrested Jolene Kay Hardy, 55, and charged her with the death of her 60-year-old husband Gerald Douglas Hardy.

Court documents say it was the decedent’s wife that called 911 and reported her husband’s death.

Preliminary information from the state medical examiner’s office said that the man died from blunt force trauma.

The Hardy's neighbor Rick Habegger who is in charge of the watch program in the Hallmark West subdivision said the couple was quiet but kind. He also said they had a festive yard during the holidays.

"Never felt any thing was wrong. They seem to be about our age and there was never any indication that there were problems," Habegger said.

Habegger said he knew the husband was sick but said he recently spoke with the couple who didn't indicate that anything was wrong.

Police seized an assortment of paperwork including bills, bank statements, check stubs, medical records and notebooks. Investigators also seized two tape recorders, several audio tapes, and a laptop amongst numerous blood samples from various places at the house.

At Hardy’s first court appearance, a judge denied bond. A probable cause hearing has been set for Aug. 6.