A Hudson man was charged his wife’s murder after a three-hour standoff in Hudson last week.

Cash bail was set at $1 million March 6 for Chad Aaron Haworth, 54, Hudson, in St. Croix County Circuit Court, where he was charged with first-degree intentional homicide, felony mayhem, and felony aggravated battery – intend great bodily harm charges, all with the use of a dangerous weapon modifier. If convicted, Haworth could face life in prison.

According to the complaint:

At 3:09 p.m., Hudson police were dispatched to a welfare check at 1624 Namekagon St. #11 by complainant Haworth. He said his wife’s lover got the password for his iPhone and got rid of all the statements and recordings of his wife he’d saved. He was also worried about his 26-year-old son being alone, his cats getting out and cops shooting him. He was crying and yelling, saying there was no way out.

Earlier in the day at 11:08 a.m., Haworth had spoken to police about his wife cheating on him and possibly poisoning him with their cats’ medicine. He also said he had many recordings of her. He had no evidence that he was being poisoned but felt he had developed sudden thyroid issues. He had said he was planning to go to the doctor for testing. He also said he felt safe and had the ability to leave if needed.

As officers responded to the welfare check, dispatch warned them Haworth may have a gun. They parked a few residences down from Haworth’s townhome and called him. He said after he spoke to police that morning, his wife laughed at him when he told her he knew she’d given her boyfriend access to his account. He then told police his wife was “no longer with us” and began crying. He said he snapped when he saw his files erased from his iPad. He said he’d never laid a hand on her his entire life, that she laughed until she realized he was serious and started screaming for help. He told police he’d used “one of the finest cutting instruments known to mankind.”

When officers asked him to put the knife down and come outside, he refused. He began crying about his recordings being erased again and said he needed to contemplate taking his own life or having officers take it for him.

Haworth began to get frustrated with officers asking him to step outside. While on the call, a loud click that sounded like a firearm action could be heard. He refused to let officers inside to check on his wife and said she’d been dead for half an hour.

When officers knocked on the door and told him to drop the weapon, Haworth could be heard yelling, “I have a gun at the door.” He threatened to shoot police; it was later confirmed he had a pump action shotgun. They decided not to enter at that time and the St. Croix County Emergency Response Unit was activated. They deployed chemicals into the residence and Haworth eventually exited at 6:20 p.m., at which point the ERU team apprehended him. He had blood on his pants and hands.

Police found the woman in the upstairs east bedroom with knife wounds to her face and neck. After medical clearance at Hudson Hospital, officers transported Haworth to St. Croix County Jail.