La Crosse man accused of stabbing wife 50 times has been charged with 1st-degree murder

A 36-year-old La Crosse man, arrested this week, was formally charged Wednesday with first-degree murder in the apparent stabbing death of his wife.

Zachary Fritz could be sent to prison for life if he’s convicted in the murder this past Monday at the family’s home on Redwood Court in Shelby.

A criminal complaint says the victim had over 50 sharp force injuries on her body, as well as blunt force trauma and several bite marks.

Fritz told police that his wife had killed herself.

Court commissioner Pat Heim said she would not change Fritz’s $1 million cash bond.

According to the complaint, an autopsy determined the causes of death were the blunt force and stabbing injuries.

He has another court hearing on June 19 and remains in the La Crosse County jail.