Manfred Uhle pleads not guilty to alleged murder of wife at Gordon townhouse

CONTENT WARNING: this story contains information that may be distressing for some readers.

A man accused of killing his wife at their townhouse in Gordon has pleaded not guilty.

Manfred Uhle, 86, is accused of stabbing his wife, 78-year-old Wanda Dorothy Uhle, whose body was found at their townhouse in Gordon on 2 June, before he was arrested and charged with her murder.

In the ACT Magistrates Court on Friday (12 July), his lawyer, Ellie Wallis, said there was an “emergent issue” about her client’s fitness to plead.

She told the court she was seeking expert advice and a pre-hearing mention was set for September 2024.

According to court documents, Mr Uhle drove to a relative’s home at around 7 am on 2 June in his pyjamas and robe with no shoes on and appeared shaken when he arrived. He also allegedly appeared to have blood on his hands, face and feet.

When the relative asked where Mrs Uhle was, he allegedly replied, “I’ll tell you what’s happened; I just need to catch my breath”, before saying they’d had a fight and she was now sleeping.

Another relative called police to conduct a welfare check.

When officers arrived at the Gordon home, they found her naked body in the fetal position under a blanket, allegedly with wounds to her chest and wrist.

A 30 cm serrated knife was found inside, covered with a towel, along with blood in the home’s toilet, laundry and hallway.

Mrs Uhle’s cause of death was found to be blood loss as a result of multiple stab wounds.

The couple had been together for more than 60 years.

Mr Uhle remains in custody and is next expected to appear in court via an audio-visual link on 15 July.

If you or someone you know needs help, contact 1800RESPECT, the national domestic and sexual violence support service, by calling 1800 737 732 or 1800Respect.

There is also assistance available at:

Lifeline’s 24-hour crisis support line – 13 11 14
Suicide Call Back Service – 1300 659 467
Kids Helpline – 1800 551 800 or kidshelpline.com.au
MensLine Australia – 1300 789 978 or mensline.org.au.