July 28 (UPI) -- A Utah man accused of killing his wife aboard an Alaskan cruise this week will be charged with murder, federal authorities said.
The U.S. Department of Justice said Kenneth Manzanares, 39, of Santa Clara, Utah, was charged in the death of his wife, Kristy.
The Justice Department's complaint said the couple were aboard the Emerald Princess, and the ship's security and medical personnel found Kristy Manzanares dead and with a severe head wound when they responded to an emergency in their cabin Tuesday.
At the time of the incident, the ship was in international waters as it traveled from Ketchikan to Juneau, meaning the case is subject to federal jurisdiction.
Princess Cruises said in a statement that Kristy Manzanares, 39, died during a domestic dispute. The Justice Department statement said an eyewitness saw Kenneth Manzanares drag his wife's body from the cabin to a balcony, and then returned her to the cabin. An eyewitness saw them both covered in blood, and later said he asked Kenneth Manzanares what occurred.
"She would not stop laughing at me," he replied.
An affidavit filed by FBI Special Agent Matthey Judy mentioned that, as the suspect was being processed by the FBI, he commented, "My life is over."
The couple was traveling with a large group that included their children, KTVA-TV reported.
Kenneth Manzanares was jailed in Juneau, and appeared in Anchorage federal court by video conference on Thursday for his arraignment. He did not enter a plea.
