Due To Insured’s Intent To Kill Wife, Bodily Injury Coverage Excluded Under Homeowners Policy

On January 23, 2017, Noah Ravenscroft killed his wife, Kristy Jo, by stabbing her 24 times, striking her in the chest 13 times. At the time of the homicide, the couple had three minor children. Prior to the homicide, Mr. Ravenscroft had been experiencing auditory hallucinations and paranoid beliefs.

According to a journal kept by Ms. Ravenscroft, and interviews with Mr. Ravenscroft after the homicide, the television would give Mr. Ravenscroft messages that would describe what he was to do.

On the night of her death, one of the couple’s children overheard Ms. Ravenscroft yelling at Mr. Ravenscroft to get off of her, causing the child to go downstairs and observe Mr. Ravenscroft holding Ms. Ravenscroft down on the couch with his hand over Ms. Ravenscroft’s mouth.

Ms. Ravenscroft was trying to push Mr. Ravenscroft off of her. Mr. Ravenscroft stood up, retrieved a knife from the kitchen, walked back toward Ms. Ravenscroft, and stabbed Ms. Ravenscroft, killing her.