An elderly man is charged with murdering his wife in their home in Queens, New York (Picture: Univision)

An 86-year-old man allegedly murdered his wife, who was discovered dead in their home.

Luz Porras, 78, was found at the bottom of a staircase at their home in New York City’s Queens borough on Wednesday. She had signs of trauma on her face and was unconscious and unresponsive.

Her husband, Ovido Porras, was at their home at 91st Street by 91st Avenue in Woodhaven when police officers arrived shortly before 8.30pm.

It was not immediately known how the woman was killed (Picture: Univision)

The woman’s husband was charged with murder 24 hours after being questioned by investigators (Picture: Univision)

Ovido was taken into custody for questioning and was charged with murder 24 hours later, the New York Post reported on Friday. He also faces charges for tampering with evidence and criminal contempt.

It was not immediately known how Luz was murdered. Her body has been taken to a medical examiner to determine the cause and manner of death.

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A 78-year-old woman was found dead at the foot of the staircase of the home she shared with her husband.