News Summary
Karl Daniel Geiger, 65, has been charged with first-degree murder following the shooting death of his ex-wife, Patricia Watson-Geiger, 69. The incident occurred on September 15, 2025, at their shared home in Lutherville. Geiger initially claimed a home invasion, but investigations revealed inconsistencies in his account and evidence suggesting the crime was staged. Community members expressed shock over the tragedy as Geiger is held without bail, awaiting court proceedings amid ongoing investigations.
Lutherville – A 65-year-old man, Karl Daniel Geiger, has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with the shooting death of his ex-wife, Patricia Watson-Geiger, who was 69 years old. The tragic incident occurred on September 15, 2025, at their residence in the 1200 block of Oakcroft Drive.
Officers, responding to the scene, discovered Watson-Geiger’s body with a gunshot wound. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Geiger initially notified the police, alleging that a home invasion had taken place, stating he had found his wife’s lifeless body after returning from work. He expressed both shock and grief, describing it as “like walking into your house and finding your best friend dead.”
The couple shared a lengthy history, having been married for 30 years before their divorce in 2019. Despite their separation, Geiger and Watson-Geiger continued to live together and were known to have a friendly relationship, co-parenting their three children, who are now adults.
Upon further investigation, officers found that Watson-Geiger’s personal belongings were scattered around the kitchen, with drawers left open. A blood-stained mattress was also reported to have been moved from the home by Geiger following the incident. An autopsy later confirmed that Watson-Geiger died from a gunshot wound, and two bullet casings were discovered near her body. An unusual sleeping mask was found covering her eyes, which raised suspicions regarding the circumstances of her death.
Despite the apparent signs of a struggle, Geiger informed police that nothing significant had been stolen from the home. He stated he had left Watson-Geiger asleep in her bedroom in the morning, locking the door as was their custom. However, surveillance footage contradicted his timeline, showing that his vehicle did not leave the premises until 8:15 a.m., despite Geiger claiming he departed at 7:30 a.m. Neighbors reported hearing gunshots around 8 a.m., but stated it was not unusual to hear similar sounds near a local gun range.
Additionally, discrepancies arose when Geiger reportedly told a neighbor that Watson-Geiger had been shot in the head, while he had claimed to authorities he did not know where she had been shot. This inconsistency, coupled with other evidence, led police to believe that Geiger may have staged the home to appear as though a burglary had occurred.
Following the shooting, the local community expressed shock and disbelief over the incident, describing it as an anomaly in what is typically regarded as a safe neighborhood. Watson-Geiger was remembered fondly by neighbors for her kindness and generosity, particularly for her work as a local bartender. Many in the community reflected on her warm presence and the positive impact she had on those around her.
Currently, Karl Daniel Geiger is being held at the Baltimore County Detention Center without bail. He is scheduled to appear in court on Thursday as the case continues to unfold. The public response to this incident remains one of confusion and sadness as details about the events on that fateful day come to light.
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HERE Resources
Baltimore County Police Investigate Homicide of 69-Year-Old Woman
Baltimore County Police Investigate Homicide of Local Woman
Additional Resources
- CBS News: Lutherville Murder Arrest
- Wikipedia: Lutherville, Maryland
- WBAL TV: Timonium Homicide
- Google Search: Lutherville murder
- Fox Baltimore: First Degree Murder Charges
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Lutherville
- Baltimore Sun: Man Charged with Murder
- Google News: Lutherville homicide
- Nottingham MD: Suspect Charged in Connection with Lutherville Homicide
Author: STAFF HERE BALTIMORE WRITER
BALTIMORE STAFF WRITER The BALTIMORE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBaltimore.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Baltimore, Baltimore County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Baltimore Book Festival, Preakness Stakes, and Artscape. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Baltimore Chamber of Commerce and Visit Baltimore, plus leading businesses in shipping and healthcare that power the local economy such as the Port of Baltimore and Johns Hopkins Medicine. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Maryland's dynamic landscape.
