MEAD, WA. -- According to the brother of a North Spokane County murder victim, the couple's son witnessed his father murder his mother.
Police say Jeff Canino, 46, is now in satisfactory condition, after stabbing his wife, Michelle Canino, to death Wednesday in their Mead home and then stabbing himself.
Police say when they responded to two 911 calls from the home, the Canino's 11-year-old son answered the door with cuts to his hands.
Mike Mettler is Michelle Canino's brother. He says his nephew was waiting outside the house for Michelle that morning, ready to go to the doctor for oral surgery.
"When she didn't come out, he went into the house to see what was wrong and that's when he discovered her," says Mettler.
Police believe that's when the boy made the two calls to 911. Mettler says the boy also struggled with his father, causing his hands to be cut.
The boy was taken to the hospital and released to his grandparents.
"I think he's handling it as well as an 11-year-old can be expected to handle it," says Mettler.
Jeff Canino is still hospitalized, but has been charged with first-degree murder for Michelle's death.
According to Mettler, he believes Jeff was recently troubled by the possibility of losing his job at a local car dealership.
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