The man who allegedly stabbed his wife to death in Kingston Feb. 27 tried to kill himself hours earlier, distraught about losing his family, house and money in divorce proceedings, court papers say.

Fatih Mehmet Ketenci, 47, was in Kitsap County Superior Court March 3, facing 13 charges, including suspicion of first-degree and premeditated murder of Celestia Marie Ketenci, burglary, kidnapping, robbery, assault, harassment, unlawful imprisonment and three protection order violations. The murder, robbery and kidnapping charges each carry a maximum penalty of life in prison and a $50,000 fine. No bail was set. His arraignment will be at 3 p.m. March 11.

Deputies arrested Ketenci at 1:43 a.m., but at 7:22 the night before deputies and Suquamish Tribe police did a welfare check at the home at 21272 Virginia Ave. NE because a neighbor was worried about her friend, Celestia. Patrols checked but were told there was no problem.

At 1:33 the next morning, their 17-year-old son called 911 and alleged his dad had just killed his mom with a knife. His dad fled in a vehicle, which crashed a short time later at 12595 NE Marine View Drive. Court papers also say Ketenci, who had blood all over his body and clothes, reportedly told a deputy he had killed his wife. She was stabbed in the torso and back.

The 17-year-old told officers his parents had a long history of domestic violence. He said his dad just returned that day from Mexico, and he had picked him up at SeaTac airport. They went to a construction site the family owns where a home is being built. Probable cause papers say the dad reportedly threatened him with a nail gun and made him tie himself up with an extension cord at the Paul Drive property. His dad took his son’s phone and keys and left. The son was able to free himself and walk the mile to his home. When he went inside he found his mom dead. He called 911 then found his 10- and 3-year-old sisters in a bathroom. They escaped through a window and hid near the chicken coop outside until officers arrived.

Probable cause papers say the 10-year-old girl alleged her dad had kicked the door in and was holding a knife. He told the two girls to get into the bathroom. She said she heard them arguing and her mom calling for help. She heard her mom scream, then didn’t hear anymore. Her dad finally opened the door and kissed the 3-year-old before leaving.

Ketenci was taken to the hospital in Gig Harbor since he had been in the car accident. He said he had attempted suicide the evening before. He tried to drown himself first in his car by locking the doors and closing the windows and then by swimming as deep as he could in the water, but his body would float back up.

He told deputies he and his wife were happy when they were young and poor, but problems began when they started making money. He said he slapped her and that’s what led to the protection order. But he had hope as she said she did not want a divorce.

He went to Mexico and had returned that day. He wanted to see his children, but she said no due to their protection order. He said that she brought “not one penny” to the relationship and how he bought everything for her. He said he made her eat some money then tore up a $100 bill and threw it on the ground, calling her greedy as she had taken $30,000 out of the bank, court documents say.

He said she laughed at him and was unremorseful. She said she didn’t need him anymore because she had their money. The probable cause papers say, “It appeared that Fatih did not believe in their marriage that the money belonged to both of them, but was his money and his alone.” He started crying while talking about her ex-boyfriend and realizing she was dead.

Ketenci talked about moving to America and English being his second language. He said he has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington. He said courts ruined his life, taking his home, money and kids. He complained about being gone from the house but still having to pay all the bills.

Court papers allege he admitted he took a knife into the bedroom, but said she grabbed it and stabbed him in the hand. He wrestled the knife from her and reportedly stabbed her. He said he “blacked out” and could not remember any more details. Officers found the suspected murder weapon in the bathroom sink.

Celestia Ketenci filed for dissolution of the marriage online Feb. 25. That document says they were married in Istanbul, Turkey, Dec. 16, 2003. It says their marriage was “irretrievably broken” since a domestic violence Nov. 7, 2024. Born in 1976, she says in the document that they have equally divided the properties: she got the 2018 Volkswagen Jetta, and he the 2001 Dodge Ram truck. Another vehicle was to be sold. She also requested $3,000 a month in child support. A temporary restraining order and parenting plan also were part of the documents.