Siegfried Van Zuiden, the man accused of murdering his wife at the couple’s Rideau Park residence, made a brief court appearance on Wednesday.
Van Zuiden, 85, was charged with second-degree murder after police found the body of Audrey Van Zuiden on Tuesday morning.
Police believe Audrey, 80, was assaulted but say they are not aware of any history of domestic abuse at the home.
Siegfried, who is also known as Fred, grew up in Nazi-occupied Holland and came to Canada in 1952, where he settled with his wife and founded a sailboat business.
Police are working to determine a motive for the attack and an autopsy is underway to establish exactly how Audrey died.
On Wednesday, Dr. George Duska told the court that Fred likely suffers from dementia and probably had a minimum understanding of why he was in court.
Dr. Duska said Van Zuiden appeared to be pleasant and courteous and he was ordered to undergo a 30-day mental health assessment.
Van Zuiden faced the judge in a blue prison jumpsuit and friends of the couple were in court to offer support.
"This is horrible way to have such a tremendous career, such an honourable man to be represented in his final time," said godson, Vince Walker.
"The world needs to know this is a mental health issue. It is dementia and it's very tragic and very horrid. Fred and Audrey were soul mates, they were best friends, they never left each other's sides," said friend, Gordon Van Gunst.
Van Zuiden will be moved to the Southern Alberta Forensic Psychatry Centre and his case will be back in court on November 4th.
