The elderly Calgary man charged with second-degree murder in the death of his wife was ordered to undergo a 30-day mental health assessment Wednesday.
Outside court, friend Gordon van Gunst said the couple has no family or kids, but tearfully explained they had each other.
“The world needs to know that this is a mental health issue. It is dementia and it is very tragic and very hard,” van Gunst said.
“Fred and Audrey were soul mates; they were best of friends; they never left each other’s side.”
Siegfried van Zuiden, known as Fred, was charged Tuesday after Audrey’s body was found in their Rideau Place home at about 4:15 a.m. Officers believe she was assaulted during the early morning hours, but don’t know what spurred the attack.
WATCH: 85-year-old Calgary man charged with wife’s death likely suffering from dementia. Reid Fiest reports.
When van Zuiden arrived in court in a blue prison jumpsuit Wednesday morning, two elderly ladies sitting in the front row bench began to sob.
His godson, Vince Walker, said he came to court to make sure van Zuiden knows he’s not alone.
Court heard brief testimony from the forensic psychiatrist who spoke with Fred, who suggested it’s “quite evident Siegfried van Zuiden is likely suffering from dementia, likely moderate to severe Alzheimer’s.”
“He’s not aware of why he’s here,” Duska said.
WATCH: Calgary police have charged 85-year-old Siegfried van Zuiden with second-degree murder in the death of his wife Audrey. Global’s Nancy Hixt reports.
“He thinks it has to do with a ski accident last year.”
READ MORE: Dementia – What are the early warning signs and symptoms?
Duska said he’d do what he can to expedite van Zuiden’s transfer from remand to the Southern Alberta Forensic Psychiatric Centre.
Van Zuiden’s next court date is set for Nov. 4.
Van Zuiden, 85, is originally from Holland. He has written a book about Nazi-occupied Holland, described as “a personal account of survival.”
According to his author biography, van Zuiden came to Canada in 1952 and eventually settled in Calgary where he founded Glenmore Sailboats. Van Zuiden sold the company about 15 years ago.
With a file from Global’s Reid Fiest
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