Soldier's husband held in her death

Fort Belvoir, Va. (Map, News) - The husband of a soldier found dead Monday at her Fort Belvoir home waited almost 24 hours to call for help after knocking her unconscious during an argument - and in the meantime had sex with her, fixed himself a drink, fell asleep and went to the grocery store, according to court documents.

Ronnie Nelson was arrested Thursday and charged with murdering Sgt. First Class Carolyn Farrar-Johnson, 58, a reservist on active duty at the southern Fairfax County base, according to documents filed in U.S. District Court in Alexandria. He was denied bond in a hearing Friday afternoon.

In an interview with an Army investigator, Nelson said he had begun to argue with his wife Sunday afternoon on subjects that included "the frequency of sexual relations in their marriage," according to a Dec. 18 affidavit.

After she insulted him, Nelson shoved his wife hard enough to knock her to the ground and strike her head on the floor, according to the affidavit, which said he placed her on the couch but did not call for help because he was scared.

Hours later, Nelson had sexual intercourse with his wife although he was not sure if she was alive, then "had another rum and coke, watched TV, and fell asleep in a recliner in the same room as Farrar-Johnson's body lay," the document says.

He did not call 911 until almost noon Monday, before which he left for a Bottom Dollar store to buy a six pack of Diet Pepsi.

Spokesmen for the FBI and Army Criminal Investigation Command, which are jointly investigating the case, declined comment Friday.

"We ask that the community reach out in a general sense with prayers and well wishes for the family and friends who have been affected by this tragic incident," Fort Belvoir Commander Col. Brian Lauritzen said in a statement Wednesday.

Farrar-Johnson was a training sergeant with the 11th Battalion, 80th Regiment Officer Education System, and had been stationed at the base since January, according the statement. Calls to Nelson's attorneys were not returned Friday.

wflook@dcexaminer.com

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