Man charged with death of a woman after police found her bleeding out

At 5:25 pm Des Moines Police Department patrol officers and Des Moines Fire Department rescue personnel responded to a medical emergency at a residence in the 1500 block of Capitol Avenue.

When responders arrived, the 52-year-old woman was in cardiac arrest with “an apparent inflicted laceration injury to her leg”, according to a news release from the police department. The injury resulted in significant blood loss at the scene. Despite receiving lifesaving care, she died at a hospital.

This marks Des Moines’ 12th homicide in 2024.

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Walter King Bickham, who was arrested at the scene, was charged with second-degree murder, a Class B felony, after further investigation and consultation with the Polk County Attorney’s Office. The Des Moines Police Department will continue to investigate the incident.