Nancy Huston, 47, met a terrible end at the hands of her estranged husband, James Strachan Huston, 58, in a tragic and disturbing sequence of events that took place in Edgewater, Maryland. James fatally shot Nancian in his apartment at the Pier 7 resort marina on August 9, 2024, covering a gruesome legal battle and tumultuous divorce that began bitterly. The shocking murder was the latest act in a relationship that descended into bitterness and tension, marked by custody battles, domestic abuse and arguments over multimillion-dollar marital assets.
James Houston, a well-known anesthesiologist, is charged with first and second degree murder in connection with the death of his partner. Their long-promising marriage ended in a grueling and drawn-out divorce, their final months marked by legal battles and protection orders. Charge sheets and witness accounts describe a marriage that descended into anarchy, culminating in the horrific events of that August night.
Troubled marriages: from passion to court cases
James and Nancy Huston's journey began much like any other. Their first years together were characterized by love, promise and the shared excitement of creating a future together, according to friends and relatives. James was a respected anesthesiologist, and Nancian was a bright and successful woman who loved her family very much. Together, they created what seemed like the epitome of suburban success in Edgewater, Maryland.
But behind closed doors, their marital difficulties began to rise. Their relationship fell apart in early 2023. Court documents state that in March 2023, Nancy filed for a protective order against James as a result of a domestic dispute that got out of hand. Although the details of the incident are kept confidential, the testimony proves that Nancyen was badly shaken by the altercation and decided to legally separate from James as a result.