CHARLOTTE, NC – In a distressing culmination of neglect, a North Carolina man faced the consequences of abandoning his seriously ill wife for months in deplorable conditions. Louis Kornhaber, 70, heard the court order his fate on Friday, finding him guilty of second-degree murder and severe neglect of a disabled adult, which led to the tragic demise of his spouse, Bonnie Kornhaber.

During a somber sentencing, Judge Matthew J. Osman handed Kornhaber a prison term ranging from nearly eight to over ten years, acknowledging the 1,351 days already served since his arrest. This grim outcome stemmed from Kornhaber’s inaction over a prolonged period during which Bonnie, his wife of 40 years, was left to suffer unattended on the floor of their home.

The downward spiral began when Bonnie returned home on October 6, 2020, following a hospitalization that left her reliant on a wheelchair. In a bid to secure her stability, Kornhaber fastened a belt to the chair. However, when she slipped and became stranded on the floor, months passed without meaningful intervention.

On a fateful day in June 2021, Bonnie expressed breathing difficulties to her husband. Rather than seeking emergency assistance, Kornhaber retreated to watch television, ignoring her deteriorating condition. By the time he returned to check on her hours later, Bonnie had succumbed to her circumstances, prompting a belated 911 call.

Emergency responders entered a distressing scene: Bonnie’s lifeless body amidst an unsanitary environment that one law enforcement officer likened to a “hoarder house.” Her condition was appalling, with extensive sores exacerbated by insect infestation.

In interviews with the police, Kornhaber admitted that shame over their living conditions deterred him from seeking help sooner. This admission came as prosecutors detailed the harrowing state in which Bonnie was found, highlighting a long-standing pattern of neglect and inaction by her husband.

This case reached its judicial conclusion following a four-day jury trial that meticulously dissected Kornhaber’s failures and indifference. His conviction underscores a tragic narrative of negligence that inflicted unnecessary suffering and loss.

As the court proceedings wrapped up, the stark reality of Bonnie’s ordeal resonated as a cautionary tale about the dire consequences of neglect, emphasizing the critical importance of seeking timely help in the face of medical emergencies and deteriorating living conditions.