Now it appears that he may have been simply assuring himself she really was dead, at least according to three of Wynette's daughters, who have filed a $50 million wrongful death suit against Richey and a doctor.
The eldest daughter of Wynette was the one who filed the suit. 
mnli hypothesis: The eldest daughter of Wynette was the one who filed the suit.  premise: Now it appears that he may have been simply assuring himself she really was dead, at least according to three of Wynette's daughters, who have filed a $50 million wrongful death suit against Richey and a doctor.