Leon Stetson Charged With Murdering His Estranged Wife, Carrie Stetson, Despite an Active Protective Order

 

Leon Stetson Is Accused of Murdering His Estranged Wife While a Protective Order Was in Place

Leon Stetson of Winsted, Connecticut, is facing a murder charge in the death of his estranged wife, Carrie Stetson, who was found stabbed inside her home in June 2026.

On June 8, police responded to Carrie's Oak Street residence after an adult child reported seeing blood.

Inside, officers found 64-year-old Carrie Stetson dead from sharp-force injuries to her neck and torso.

Police soon found Leon Stetson lying near the couple's vehicle with a self-inflicted four-inch cut to his neck. He survived after receiving treatment at Hartford Hospital.

According to investigators, Stetson subsequently confessed to killing Carrie. Unable to speak initially because of his injuries, he reportedly communicated with police by writing on paper:

“I killed her and I wanted to die also.”

There was already an active no-contact protective order prohibiting Stetson from contacting Carrie when she was killed.

Stetson was arrested on June 12 and charged with murder, home invasion, and criminal violation of a protective order. His bond was set at $3 million.

During an August court appearance, another disturbing issue emerged. Prosecutors said Stetson had been writing letters from jail to someone representing Carrie's children. The judge ordered him to stop contacting the victim's family.

Carrie was a longtime member of the Winsted community. She had served on the Town of Winchester's Economic Development Commission and owned the Railway Café, a local business.

The criminal case remains pending. Despite the reported confession, Stetson has not been convicted, and the charges must still be resolved in court.

But one fact deserves particular attention: a protective order was already in place.

Carrie Stetson had a court order telling her estranged husband to stay away. Prosecutors say he went to her home anyway and killed her. A piece of paper recognized the danger. It could not fucking stop it.