Washington, Aug 9 (PTI): A 31-year-old US man allegedly shot dead his wife and posted a confession and gruesome photos of her body on the social networking site Facebook before turning himself to police.

In a message that appeared on his Facebook account, Derek Medina of Miami admitted to the murder of his wife, 26-year-old Jennifer Alfonso.

Medina uploaded a picture of his wife slumped on the floor of their kitchen with blood on her arm and face alongside the caption "RIP Jennifer Alfonso" yesterday.

He went on to justify his actions by claiming that his wife had been punching him, The Miami New Times reports.

"I'm going to prison or death sentence for killing my wife love you guys miss you guys take care Facebook people you will see me in the news. my wife was punching me and I am not going to stand anymore with the abuse so I did what I did I hope you understand me," the Facebook post read.

Medina then turned himself in and said he had shot Alfonso during a domestic dispute, police said.

Officers then went to the man's South Miami home and found the woman's body and a 10-year-old girl, who was not hurt, inside.

Medina's post and shocking photo of his murdered wife remained on Facebook for five hours before his profile was taken down. Medina and Alfonso had been married since April last year.

Medina was an actor and also wrote guidance and self-help e-books, including one titled 'How I saved Someone's Life' and 'Marriage and Family Problems Thru Communication'.

Medina's father, Derek Medina senior, said that his son came to him and admitted to killing his wife because she allegedly threatened him with a knife.

"He just said that his wife picked up a knife on him, and they had a big fight, and he shot her," said the father. The elder Medina drove his son to a South Miami police station, where he turned himself in.

Medina senior said that girl who was removed from the apartment wrapped in a blanket is Alfonso's daughter from a previous relationship.

According to the father, his son had a rocky relationship with Alfonso. He said that the two got a divorce after being married for three years, but tied the knot again last year.