Man changes story, says he threw wife’s body into Tennessee River

A 72-year-old Hartville man who told police he handed his wife over to EMS workers after she died during a trip to Graceland now says he dumped her body in the Tennessee River on his way back to Ohio.

The Benton County sheriff’s office in west Tennessee is investigating the disappearance of Roberta Snider, 70, according to the Hartville Police Department in Stark County. A team is searching the area, but no body had been recovered Monday.

Snider has been missing since early January. Police have confirmed through receipts Philip Snider left for Memphis on Jan. 4. He told police his wife, Roberta, went with him.

Philip Snider returned from vacation without his wife and first told family members Roberta Snider died and that he left her ashes in Tennessee.

After Roberta Snider’s brother reported her missing on Jan. 9, Philip Snider told police he wanted to take his wife to Graceland one more time before she died. He said Roberta died while they were in Memphis and he saw an EMS-type vehicle in a parking lot and gave his wife to EMS workers.

But officials were unable to locate a body or find any record of her death.

Police searched the Snider’s home and found receipts from the trip. They also confirmed Philip Snider checked into a Days Inn in the Graceland area on Jan. 5. Video footage, however, showed no record of Roberta Snider.

Following a second interview, Philip Snider told police his wife died from natural causes and that he threw her body into the Tenneessee River from the Interstate 40 bridge on Jan. 6.

Philip Snider has taken a polygraph test and been interviewed by the FBI. Police also have requested credit card and phone records and GPS data.

Brian Heisler, Roberta Snider’s brother who reported her missing, previously told The Canton Repository that the family didn’t suspect foul play and that he thought Philip Snider might be suffering from dementia. He could not be reached for comment Monday.

Court records show the Sniders married in 1964 and neither has a history of criminal behavior.