Shede Mao, 55, has been charged with murder after allegedly killing his estranged wife with a machete and dumbbells in their San Jose home. He also photographed and recorded the victim as she lay dying, according to court documents.
The attack occurred early Monday morning at a residence in San Jose. Mao is accused of assaulting his 49-year-old wife after she told him she planned to divorce him earlier this year. A roommate witnessed the couple arguing the night before at a local shopping center.
Police found the victim dead in a blood-spattered room. Officers recovered a large machete with a blood-stained blade and two blood-stained dumbbell free weights. The victim had head and face injuries along with cuts to her right hand and a severed finger.
Mao walked outside covered in blood while holding his phone when officers arrived. A forensic review of the device showed photographs and videos he allegedly took of his wife while she was injured on the ground.
Mao is being held without bail. He is scheduled to appear in court on July 30 for a plea hearing in Santa Clara County.