Michigan man convicted of 'senseless' killing of wife, a Novi schools employee

DETROIT — A Commerce Township man faces life in prison after a jury found him guilty this week of murdering his wife, a longtime Novi School District employee, whose body was found wrapped in plastic bags and rolled up inside a comforter on the bathroom floor of the couple's home.

Vincent Vuichard, 66, was convicted Tuesday of first-degree murder, which carries a mandatory sentence of life in prison.

He killed his wife, 59-year-old Tatiana Vuichard, on or just before May 17, 2021, according to prosecutors. When she didn't show up to work that morning, her colleagues contacted law enforcement and police went to the Vuichard home to check on her.

Inside, officers found a comforter covering something on the floor when Vincent Vuichard let them inside, and when they asked what it was, he said it was his wife, according to a press release from the prosecutor's office.

Prosecutors said at Vuichard's arraignment in 2021 that he was wearing a blood-stained shoe and had noticeable scratches to his face when he answered his door. When asked about the injuries he allegedly told deputies that he was "getting into it" the night before with his wife.

Tanya Vuichard, an administrative assistant for the Novi School District for 30 years, died from multiple slash and stab wounds.

Vincent Vuichard asserted an insanity defense during the trial, but jurors rejected that defense after less than one day of deliberations, according to prosecutors.

“Tanya Vuichard was a mother, grandmother, friend, and coworker — her senseless murder is a huge loss to the community,” Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald said in a statement.

Vincent Vuichard will be sentenced Feb. 6, 2025.