Daijiworld Media Network - Readfield

Readfield, Feb 22: Former SpaceX engineer Samuel Whittemore (34) has been accused of killing his wife, Margaux Nguyen Whittemore (32), and critically injuring his mother, Dorothy Whittemore (67), in a violent attack at his parents' home in Readfield, Maine.

Authorities were called to the residence on February 19, where they found Margaux dead outside the home and Dorothy with severe neck injuries inside. Dorothy was rushed to a nearby hospital and later upgraded from critical condition.

Samuel, who fled the scene, was later apprehended by the police. The MIT graduate previously worked at SpaceX for six years and was currently employed as a lead engineer at a French Polynesia-based coral restoration project.

Margaux, a yoga instructor and marketing specialist, had married Samuel in September 2023. Her death has been ruled a homicide, though the cause and motive remain undisclosed.

Samuel has been charged with murder and is being held without bail. His court hearing has been postponed pending a mental competency evaluation ordered by the judge.