William Feather, 65, called 911 on July 17 to report his wife was unresponsive at their Westlake, Ohio home. When a first responder asked whether she had fallen, authorities say he replied there was 'no domestic violence, nothing of that sort.' His wife, 57-year-old Michele Charboneau Feather, was rushed to a nearby hospital in very serious condition but later pronounced dead.
Background
The incident occurred at approximately 10 a.m. at the couple's residence on the 1600 block of Canterbury Road in Westlake, a suburban city located just west of Cleveland. William Feather told dispatchers his wife was not breathing well and was unresponsive. 'I need some help here,' he said according to recordings obtained by WKYC. 'My wife. I'm very concerned about her.'
When officers with the Westlake Police Department arrived at the scene, they discovered blood throughout the house, including a trail that went from room to room. They also found a bloody mop and bloody paper towels in a trash bin inside the home.
Michele Feather was transported to a nearby hospital in 'very serious condition.' According to investigators, she was only wearing a shirt when responders arrived and had bruises on her torso along with markings on her legs.
The Charges
William Feather has been charged with murder, felonious assault, tampering with evidence, and domestic violence in connection with his wife's death. Court records from Cuyahoga County reviewed by Law&Crime list the charges. During his arraignment on Tuesday, Feather pleaded not guilty to all counts and is being held on $1 million bond.
When officers interviewed him about the incident, Feather claimed he woke up to find his wife unconscious. However, investigators noted he had dried blood under his fingernails and a fresh scratch on his face, which he attributed to shaving, according to WOIO. The Westlake Police Department also confirmed that they had responded to the home previously over domestic violence allegations, with four calls made between 2021 and 2026.
Key Takeaways
- Michele Charboneau Feather, 57, died after being found unresponsive at her Westlake, Ohio home on July 17
- Her husband William Feather allegedly denied domestic violence when asked by first responders about whether she had fallen
- Police discovered blood throughout the couple's home and evidence of cleanup attempts
- Four prior domestic violence calls had been made to the residence between 2021 and 2026
- William Feather, 65, has been charged with murder, felonious assault, tampering with evidence, and domestic violence
- He pleaded not guilty during his arraignment and is being held on $1 million bond
What's Next
William Feather is expected to return to Cuyahoga County court on September 1 for further proceedings. The case remains under investigation by the Westlake Police Department, and prosecutors have not yet indicated whether they will pursue additional charges related to the prior domestic violence calls.
Michele Feather is remembered in her obituary as a lifelong resident of Westlake who 'built a life centered around family and friendship.' She had a son and enjoyed gardening, birdwatching, tending to house plants, spending time with friends and family, and going to the beach.