By VICKIE JAMBON

Staff Reporter

LAPLACE – A 50-year-old LaPlace man was charged Friday with simple battery after he allegedly choked his wife into a state of unconsciousness. Now that the man’s wife has died, authorities may add murder charges.

Deborah S. Dufresne, 42, called the St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office Friday at 2:59 a.m. to report spousal abuse, said authorities.

According to authorities, when an officer arrived at Dufresne’s home at 1813 Helvetica Court, Dufresne told the deputy her husband choked her until she blacked out, because the two had been arguing.

Dufresne told authorities she later regained consciousness. She went outside and called police.

The deputy observed that Dufresne’s neck was red. He arrested Richard P. Dufresne and booked him into the Sherman Walker Correctional Center.

At 5:14 a.m. Deborah Dufresne called the sheriff’s office for the second time. She complained she was suffering shortness of breath.

Authorities found Dufresne lying on the floor inside her home and called an ambulance. Dufresne was taken to the River Parishes Hospital. She died at 8:10 a.m.

“We are investigating circumstances surrounding Mrs. Dufresne’s death. Additional charges are pending the outcome of the investigation and the autopsy results,” said Public Information Officer Sgt. Dane Clement.

Judge Mary Hotard Becnel increased Dufresne’s bond from $2,500 to $250,000.