Confession, motive and weapon in slain minister's death

By Susie Edwards
WAFF 48 News Reporter

Startling new information on a murder investigation that's captivated the nation.

A confession, a motive, and now a weapon that authorities say Mary Winkler used to kill her husband, Tennessee minister Matthew Winkler.

Mary Winkler will be transported back to Selmer, Tennessee Saturday.
The couple's three daughters are in the custody of their paternal grandparents.

"Our prayers were answered, your support was so helpful and your love means as much to us as life itself," read Dan Winkler, Matthew's father in a prepared statement.

It was the Winklers' first and perhaps their last appearance before cameras Friday evening asking for privacy and prayers.

"Now we turn our immediate attention to the remembrance of Matthew and the care of our little granddaughters," the statement continued.

Mary Winkler appeared cuffed and in stripes Friday. She confessed to shooting her husband of ten years, Matthew Winkler, a popular minister in Selmer, Tennessee.

She also told agents why she did it, but they won't release the motive. Authorities did rule out marital infidelity, but wouldn't say if Mary Winkler had accused her husband of abuse.

Winkler didn't respond to reporters' questions Friday afternoon.

Once in Selmer, Winkler faces first degree murder charges.

Also Friday, TBI agents recovered the weapon used to kill Matthew Winkler. Authorities say the couple's three daughters were at the house when their father was shot, but unaware of what unfolded.

"To my knowledge they don't have any idea what happened to their father," said a TBI agent.

Mary Winkler will be arraigned in Selmer, Tennessee next week.