NORRISTOWN, Pa. — A University of Pennsylvania professor was charged yesterday with beating his wife to death in their suburban kitchen after she told friends she planned to divorce him.

An economics professor originally from Israel, Rafael Robb, 56, had told investigators that he was in Philadelphia when his wife was killed December 22. Prosecutors said his alibi did not hold up. Montgomery County District Attorney Bruce Castor has said the scene was staged to look like a burglary.

“Dr. Robb lied to the police about an obvious motive for this murder, his knowledge of his wife’s recent plans to divorce him and obtain a significant portion of his wealth,” according to an affidavit by Upper Merion police Detective David Gershanick.

Authorities said Ellen Robb’s injuries were so extensive that they initially thought she was killed with a shotgun blast to the face. The murder weapon has not been found.

Ellen Robb, 49, had told relatives and others that she had hired a divorce attorney and was expecting $4,000 a month in spousal support, prosecutors said in court papers.

Mr. Robb was charged with first- and third-degree murder, possession of an instrument of crime, tampering with evidence, and lying to authorities.

Mr. Robb’s lawyer, Francis Genovese, said the arrest warrant was largely based on circumstantial evidence. “I was expecting I would see more hard evidence — maybe forensic evidence — come before pointing to Dr. Robb as the killer,” Mr. Genovese said.