The wife of the Australian podiatrist found dead in his home last week was charged with murder in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday.

Donna Vasyli, a 54-year-old, who is also the mother of the couple’s two children, appeared before Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt in good spirits as she faced one count of murder by means of unlawful harm.

During the arraignment, Mrs. Vasyli held what appeared to be a photograph of the Virgin Mary and made the sign of the cross just before the Chief Magistrate read the charge.

According to reports, on Tuesday, March 24, 59-year-old Phillip Vasyli was found stabbed to death on the dining room floor in his luxurious home located in Old Fort Bay.

Chief Superintendent Paul Rolle stated that Mr. Vasyli was dead for approximately eight hours before his body was found.

Mrs. Vasyli as well as several of the couple’s employees were taken into custody for questioning last Tuesday.

Mrs. Vasyli, who was represented by attorneys Elliot Lockhart and Murrio Ducille, was not required to enter a plea to the murder charge.

Family members of the accused shed tears as police escorted Mrs. Vasyli out of court number nine.

She was remanded to The Bahamas Department of Correctional Services until the presentation of a voluntary bill of indictment on May 20, 2015.