Dementia worsens as elderly man accused of killing wife awaits word on whether he'll stand trial

An 85-year-old Calgary man with suspected dementia is deteriorating rapidly as the court weighs whether he's medically fit to stand trial in the killing of his "soulmate" wife, his lawyer says.

Fred van Zuiden, 85, was charged with second-degree murder after his wife of 56 years,Audrey van Zuiden, was found dead inside their home on Oct. 4.

Earlier in December, forensic psychiatrist Dr. Ken Hashman found van Zuiden mentally unfit to stand trial after evaluating the elderly man for two months.

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On Tuesday, a hearing was booked for Jan.6, during which Hashman will testify about his diagnosis.

A judge must accept Hashman's findings before van Zuiden is officially declared mentally unfit to stand trial.

Until then, he continues to be held at the Southern Alberta Forensic Psychiatry Centre.

Defence lawyer Alain Hepner asked Provincial Court Judge Bob Wilkins to excuse van Zuiden's attendance at the January hearing because court appearances causethe elderly man "great distress" and because his condition is worsening.

Another forensic psychiatrist, Dr. GeorgeDuska,has also previously testified thatvanZuidenlikely has dementia.

Fred and Audrey van Zuiden were 'soulmates'

Van Zuiden is known for writing a best-selling memoir about hiding from the Nazis for two years as a boy in occupied Holland during the Second World War.

Family friends say they suspect hehasbeen suffering with dementia for a long time, but believe his wifewanted to care for him herself.

Theydescribed the couple as "soulmates" who were deeply in love.

The couple did not have children, but had many close friends, several of whom attend each court appearance in support of van Zuiden.

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