Attempted murder of wife lands Salem man in prison for 20 years

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – A Salem man will spend more than 20 years in state prison for the attempted murder of his wife in 2023.

On Tuesday, 54-year-old Mark Fox pleaded guilty to second-degree attempted murder, first-degree assault, first-degree aggravated animal abuse, unlawful use of a weapon with a firearm, resisting arrest, and three counts of strangulation constituting domestic violence.

According to investigators, Fox’s wife had messaged a friend out of fear of his drunken, escalated behavior on Oct. 9, 2023. Her friend called the police on her behalf.

“When Marion County Deputies responded, the victim answered the door and was visibly trembling,” officials said. “She had bruise marks on her feet, arms, legs, and chest. She described being held so tightly by the defendant that her ability to breathe was blocked.”

Police located Fox at another location, who attempted to flee toward a shop which contained “a significant number of firearms and ammunition,” according to officials.

Following this incident, Fox was released from custody with a “no contact with the victim” and “no guns” provision on his release agreement. His wife also obtained a restraining order.  

However, on Nov. 8, 2023, deputies were called to the couple’s residence again and found the woman walking towards them from the driveway with multiple stab wounds over her body. Despite the seriousness of her condition, she was able to describe the events that led to that moment.

“While on the phone with her mother, the defendant burst into the residence, charged and tackled the victim — causing her insufferable pain and claiming that he wasn’t going to prison, he was there to kill himself,” the Marion County DA’s office said. “Victim’s mother heard the confrontation over the phone, and she called 911 after hearing her daughter yell ‘Stop! Stop!’ while defendant’s voice could be heard saying ‘Why did you do this to me?’”

Fox had arrived at the house with duct tape, zip ties, and a hunting knife. He attempted to restrain the victim, but was unsuccessful, though he did cut the woman’s ear.

“The victim fought back and ran from the house; she was pursued by the defendant who eventually gained on her and tackled her from behind,” the DA’ office said. “With the sound of police sirens in the distance, he assaulted her with the knife, causing life-threatening injuries, before getting up and walking away.”

Fox was arrested less than half a mile away, where he was found with “multiple self-inflicted stab wounds.”

“When law enforcement arrived at the house, they found the victim’s dog bleeding heavily and huddled in the laundry room,” the DA’s office said. “It was transported to the veterinarian where it later died of injuries.”

Although Fox was sentenced to 20 years with the Oregon Department of Corrections, he could have that term reduced to 19 years if he maintains good behavior.