AMERICAN FORK — A former nurse has been charged with multiple felonies in connection with the death of his wife.
Peter Uluave is charged with practicing medicine without a license, tampering with evidence by changing the death scene at the couple's home and possession of stolen property — prescription drugs and IV supplies that were allegedly stolen from Utah Valley Regional Medical Center. Uluave worked as a nurse at the hospital.
Uluave, 32, has not been charged in his wife's 2003 death.
The county attorney is trying to determine whether Uluave intentionally killed his wife, Rebecca Uluave, 32, who also was a registered nurse, or whether the drug overdose that took her life was accidental, said American Fork Police Lt. Darren Falslev.
Police say Peter Uluave hid some of the IV equipment and drugs before calling police on the day his wife died.
Police arrested him a few weeks after his wife's death and booked him into Utah County Jail. He posted $11,655 bail and was released.
At the time he was under investigation for misdemeanor negligent homicide and theft charges, obstruction of justice, practicing medicine without a license, possession of stolen property and possession of prescription drugs without a prescription.
Uluave had allegedly been administering the drugs to his wife, who was suffering from third degree burns. He told police his wife was suffering from panic attacks, police said.
Rebecca Uluave had apparently slipped and fell in the tub with the hot water turned on. She was burned as she lay there unconscious, until a child discovered her and turned off the water, police said.
On May 17 last year, police say, Peter Uluave hooked his wife up to the drip IV and took his children to a ball game. He returned home to find his wife had died.
Police on Friday served Peter Uluave with a summons to appear in 4th District Court in Provo on June 10 as he was gathering up the last of his belongings.
Uluave apparently has moved out of Utah, but police received a tip he had returned to get the rest of his possessions.
E-mail: rodger@desnews.com