An 85-year-old man accused of murdering his wife appeared confused and agitated as he made a brief court appearance on Friday.
As sheriffs ushered him into the room, Sigfried van Zuiden asked whether he was in court.
“I have not committed a murder in all my life. I cannot believe it. I cannot believe it. I am being accused,” he said later.
“In this wonderful country, how can you do such a thing?”
READ MORE: WWII survivor charged with murder after wife found dead in Calgary home
Loved ones say van Zuiden has long suffered from dementia and a psychiatrist at his last appearance agreed that’s likely the case.
He has undergone a month of psychiatric testing, which has been extended until Dec. 2 as doctors determine whether he is fit to stand trial.
Van Zuiden was charged with second-degree murder Oct. 4 after he called 911 and police officers found his 80-year-old wife, Audrey, dead in the couple’s Calgary home.
“He is very ill. I think you can see from his conduct in the courtroom that dementia is a very live issue. His understanding is a live issue, his comprehension,” said defence lawyer Alain Hepner.
It’s possible van Zuiden’s outburst in court could have been sparked by something he overheard from a guard beforehand, Hepner said.
He said both judges and the Crown have been accommodating and sympathetic.
Van Zuiden, who goes by the first name Fred, was born in the Netherlands to a Jewish family. He chronicled his flight from the Nazis during the Second World War in his book “Call me Mom: A Dutch Boy’s WW II Survival Story.”
He came to Canada in 1952 and later settled with Audrey in Calgary, where he founded a sailboat business.
Loved ones have said the couple did everything together over a 56-year marriage and were soulmates.
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The couple had no children. Audrey van Zuiden had been caring for her husband in their home as his condition deteriorated.
Close family friends of the pair were in court to show support.
Watch below from Oct. 5: It was an emotional first court appearance for a Calgary senior. As David Boushy reports, Siegfried van Zuiden’s mental health is now a key issue in this tragic case.
Their godson, Vince Walker, said it was painful to see van Zuiden in that state.
“More stresses for Fred are not good. We’re really, really looking forward to having him in the right place with the right care.”
He and other loved ones have been able to visit van Zuiden at the psychiatric facility where he’s been for the past month.
“He’ll ask your name several times. He’ll talk about his card games. He is being looked after.”
Longtime family friend Gordon van Gunst said the visits appear to do van Zuiden good.
“Whether he realizes who we are when we visit him or not, he still knows that it’s family that’s visiting him so that is definitely comforting to him.”
He said van Zuiden doesn’t seem to understand his wife is gone.
“It doesn’t register, which is a thankful thing.”
Jill Petrovic with the Alzheimer’s Society of Calgary said the high-profile case may feed a misperception that people with dementia are aggressive or violent.
Watch below from Oct. 5: The tragic case of 85-year-old Siegfried van Zuiden is raising questions about dementia, and the care available. Bindu Suri spoke to one family personally touched by the story.
She said that behaviour is rare, but caregivers should trust their instincts and have a safety plan in case they feel threatened.
READ MORE: Loved ones of WWII survivor accused of murdering his wife fear for his future
That includes knowing ahead of time where to go and whom to call in a risky situation. Petrovic also suggested having a bag ready with keys, medications, documents, clothing and other important items.
Petrovic said it’s not easy to know when it’s time to turn to a long-term care facility.
“It just comes down to what’s best for the mental, physical and social health of all of the members of the household.”
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