Police: Man murders wife, texts confession

GLENDALE, Ariz -- Police say an Arizona man confessed to killing his estranged wife in text messages to her family, and kept a journal planning the murder.

Dawn McCauley, 45, was shot several times Sunday night with a .45-caliber handgun, reports CBS affiliate KPHO.

Her 58-year-old husband, Edward McCauley, was arrested Monday on one count of premeditated first-degree murder. Glendale, Ariz. detectives found him sitting in a rental car at a Denny's restaurant.

The McCauleys were married more than 20 years, but had been separated for the last 18 months, KPHO reports.

Dawn McCauley never filed for divorce, her family said, because she was afraid of her husband.

Edward McCauley allegedly told Glendale police he suspected his wife was involved in a relationship with another man and confronted her outside her home Sunday night.

Police say Edward McCauley first struck Dawn McCauley with the handgun and then shot her, emptying the gun's magazine.

Police said they found eight .45-caliber shell casings outside the pickup truck in which Dawn McCauley's body was slumped.

Edward McCauley allegedly confessed to the killing during questioning, police said.

Police said he had sent several text messages to members of his estranged wife's family telling them he killed her.

A journal found at Edward McCauley's residence allegedly includes multiple entries referring to plans for killing his estranged wife.

Police said Edward McCauley had also given away several of his possessions to a friend, including a silver Dodge pickup truck and gun collection, the day before Dawn McCauley's death.