79-Year-Old Carmel Man Arrested for Wife's Murder, Investigation Ongoing

Donel Mark Geisen, 79, has been arrested for the murder of his wife, Barbara Lynn Geisen, 78, in their Carmel home after he called 911 confessing to the stabbing. Authorities found both spouses with multiple stab wounds; Barbara was pronounced dead at the scene while Donel was hospitalized with life-threatening self-inflicted injuries before being booked on a murder charge. The incident occurred early in the morning in the High Meadows community, shocking neighbors in the usually quiet neighborhood. Donel did not enter a plea during his court appearance and is scheduled for a competency hearing, with the investigation ongoing and no motive disclosed. Law enforcement confirmed no prior calls had been made to the residence related to the case, and details about any weapon used have not been released. The case remains under active investigation by the Monterey County Sheriff's Office and District Attorney's Office.