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Subscribe to RSSUpdated at 6:35 p.m. ET: The husband of a Missouri woman who has been missing for nearly a year was charged with first-degree murder Monday even though his estranged wife's body has not been found.
In a probable cause affidavit released Monday, law enforcement officials outlined why they believe Clay Waller, 41, lured his soon-to-be-ex wife to his home to kill her.
Officials also noted that they discovered Jacque Waller’s diary in her laptop, which was found close to where her Honda Pilot had been parked off a highway. In it, she wrote that Clay Waller, a former police officer, had repeatedly threatened to kill her if she left him. She wrote, “He told me that a divorce would be my death sentence.”
Read the probable cause affidavit
Clay Waller was sentenced to five years in federal prison for threatening his wife’s sister in an online posting. Jacque Waller's sister is currently caring for the Wallers’ 5-year-old triplets.
"There is a bit of relief in knowing that charges have been brought against Clay Waller," Jacque Waller's father, Stan Rawson, said in a statement. "The case is now in the hands of the prosecuting attorney, and we are confident that we will now finally get justice for our girl."
The Wallers had been having marital trouble and were on the verge of divorce last June, Rawson told The Associated Press last year.
Jacque Waller and her triplets had moved into her sister’s home, and she had started seeing another man. Clay Waller, too, had a new partner.
On June 1, Jacque and Clay Waller met with their attorney. Jacque had agreed to let Maddox, one of the triplets, spend the day with his father. She called her sister to say she would return home immediately after picking up her son.
She never came home. Clay Waller’s girlfriend said Clay had asked her to take care of the boy for the night – the first time she had ever spent time alone with Maddox.
A neighbor said that on that day she saw Jacque Waller’s Honda Pilot in Clay Waller's driveway next to his red truck. His truck was hooked up to his boat, which he then drove away. Jacque was nowhere to be seen. That evening at 9:45 p.m., another neighbor, approached Clay Waller on his patio and said he had heard Jacque was missing. Waller, out of breath, said he'd just been on a bike ride.
Later, Jacque Waller's Honda Pilot was found on Interstate 55 with a flat tire. Police said the tire had been punctured after it had stopped running.
Clay Waller initially told police that they had been together because Jacque had come over for sex, that they had argued and she left on foot. Later, he told police that Jacque had a nose bleed when his head hit her nose, and that she had bled a lot.
More than 100 volunteers were searching again today for Jacque Waller, a 39-year-old mother of triplets missing for six weeks from her Missouri home. TODAY's Lester Holt speaks with Waller's parents about their fears and suspicions.
When police searched Clay Waller’s home, they found blood stains on the walls that had apparently been washed down. They also found green carpet from the hallway cut up in squares and stored beneath house. DNA analysis of blood stains on the carpet indicated that the blood matched Jacque Waller’s.
For hiding the carpet, Waller is also charged with tampering with evidence.
The FBI said last year that Clay Waller suggested to his father that he had broken Jacque Waller's neck and buried her in a hole that he dug in advance. But Clay Waller has not made any confession to police, and his father died before he could testify.
Waller was sentenced to five years in federal prison in December and is serving time at a prison in the state of Louisiana. He pleaded guilty in October to threatening Brennecke through an online posting.
Following the charges, Clay Waller’s attorney released a statement: “Clay misses his wife and he hopes she is found alive. He sincerely sympathizes with the Rawson family. His heart goes out to them. However Clay had nothing to do with his wife’s disappearance, and we have substantial evidence to support that claim.”
Cape Girardeau County prosecutor Morley Swingle said one of the tampering charges alleges Clay Waller concealed his wife's body. The second alleges he "concealed bloodstained carpet from the hallway of his home" in Jackson, Mo., about 100 miles south of St. Louis.
Swingle said Missouri lets prosecutors seek the death penalty if at least one of 17 "aggravating factors" can be proven. He said none of the aggravating factors are involved in the Waller case.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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I just love how so many posters like to say that blacks are the most violent in this country, it's just amazing isn't it? This unfortunate case, the case of the father who killed his wife and the mother of his 2 sons and then not just satisfied with that but ended killing his 2 small children along with himself and on and on. Dare we forget Casey Anthony, that Smith woman in the Carolina's who killed her 2 young sons so that she could be with another man (nothing like divorce is there?), lest I forget Zimmerman, I won't nor will his former girlfriend...
Did you hear about the black woman who was a Susan Smith copycat, named Shaquan Duley?
I guess that's white people's fault for giving her the idea, right?
And by the way...there are no posts on this page of the sort you speak of...calm the hell down.
Allison, go get you some white folks!
What makes you think that I'm not white?
Sweet life
when whites make up 12% of the population and commit 80% of the violent crimes and thefts then you can open your trap. until then go back to doing laundry.
Just downright amazing Allison! Sweet life...
"when whites make up 12% of the population and commit 80% of the violent crimes and thefts," etc., ad naseaum -- B-A-L-O-N-E-Y. Purely concocted up statistics.
Allison,
Did you ever stop to think that the reason you can cite those examples is because they are actually news worthy (by society's standards, anyway)?
If you want to compare the quantity of homicides, then yes the numbers are going to be in favor of those posters. You can't judge statistics based on what you see/read in the media. Gang violence in black neighborhoods is not news.
So yes, statistically speaking one race is involved in more violent crimes than the other. All these stories you read about on newsvine may change your personal opinion but it won't change the actual numbers. The truth is that no one wants to report on something that is commonplace.
N-pleez
Allison google China Arnold Dayton, Ohio.. Anthony Sowell Cleveland, Ohio.. Just to name a few of recent.
Isn't it funny that when it's a white person doing the killing nobody's bring up "white on white" crime.Lately there has been a lot of white women/girls being killed by "white" men, but you don't hear all the name calling.I guess when a white man kill they don't call it "murder".
Funny how the average unemployment rate for blacks and whites also correlates to the violence rate for the same. If minorities had decent employment opportunity you wouldn't see so many minority gangs and thus there'd be less violence in their perspective demographic.
According to Newt they just need "work ethic" and should start early by being janitors. aka "Come here boy and shine my shoes." How insulting.
ignorant.
Shari-
Good point about no one saying white on white crime. I never thought about that before.
Thanks for pointing it out.
In the USA there are so many murders that it is impossible for them to make the news. 10 thousand gun murders every year. 20 thousand gun suicides. This article didn't even involve a gun. Triplets and a middle class family made it newsworthy. Ban handguns.
Oh wow, we have race and handguns in a thread where the story has absolutely nothing to do with either.
Why is it some guys think they are going to get away with murdering their wives? How stupid do you have to be to NOT realize that the cops are gonna come looking for you first? This guy is already in jail for mouthing off......hmmmmmmmmmm......does he think he looks innocent?
Agreed.
That's the best way to behave like an innocent man, especially when the cops are watching you, publicly threaten the victim's sister. This guy deserves the "Most Arrogant, Belligerent A-hole" award for 2011.
Because that is the driving force in a lot of these spousal murders: arrogance, with a side of false entitlement. They don't like the person in the way of getting what they want so they are entitled to dispose of them. Nevermind how many people (including their own kids) it will hurt in the process. The end justifies the means as long as they are happy, and that is what's best for everyone right? Oh and nevermind those years of training and experience that the detectives have. Because everyone else is too stupid to prove what they've done, right?
There should be a special category of delusional for people like him, that can probably leverage moral and critical thinking in every other aspect of their life.... except when it comes to their marriage.
First off Lolly1192 Thanks for sticking to the story most people here have had a really hard doing that on this vine.
However , I find it odd that he would be sent to a federal prison for a charge of uttering threats. Usually that would be a state charge and isn't it a two year minimum before you are even sent to the prison? What did he do threaten her with ?????? makes you wonder.
On another note, once again we have a half story from a really $hitty source!! Thanks for the horrible reporting. Most of you people in the media are the true idiots putting these half stories together!!!
There's notahing like divorce is there. Once again, someone just had to have complete "control" instead.
fnkheehaw,
Yet, here you are, mind boggling.....
@fbjghee, if MSNBC bothers you so much why read it? The story I guess happened in Missouri why not start there?
fnkheehaw.... it became federal when he posted the threat on-line...
And while there might be missing pieces to the entire story, it DOES appear to be rather bad for the arrogant POS.
I suspect that part of the issue is that the husband was a police officer. The article says former police officer but not when he left the force. When the abuser is a cop the abused often feels that there is no safe place to turn. If he uttered those threats while still a police officer, while in uniform, while on duty, froma precinct telephone/computer, etc, there may have been additional charges that moved this into the federal arena.
Does this remind anyone of Scott Peterson? Same MO - especially with the boat
By the way statistics 85% of women killed are by their spouses
This guy is a moron and a murderer. He obviously has no love for his kids to leave them with no mother. And as soon as he goes to court, no father, too. What a dumb a$$. Hope he suffers terrible things in prison. I may write him there and tell him what a ball-less POS he is.
I sure feel for those poor kids. I bet there mother was only thinking of them when this garbage sucking monster started doing to her whatever he did.
That's enough evidence for me! Throw this murderer into the pit.
Though I won't argue that statistic because it's plausible, I will point out that a large number of the news magazine shows out there (48 hours, Dateline, anything on Investigation Discovery) mostly highlight women that kill their significant others, or have them killed by a hit man. Hell, the ID channel has a whole series called "Deadly Women" that discusses famous cases of female murderers. Maybe female killers are more interesting because there are statistically less of them? No idea. But I guess the moral of the story is don't be blinded to what your husband/wife may be capable of. Even the nicest people can find justification for murder.
That is EXACTLY what I thought when I read there was a boat involved. I just hope she washes up on shore like Lacey did. A body would certainly help the prosecutor's case!
Here is an interesting point though. Was this woman dumb enough to go to the "soon to be Ex's" house alone after he threatened to kill her?
Swingle? I'd think this was a joke if there wasn't murder involved.
It has been proven time and time again, Man can be evil regardless of race!! So lets stop with the black and white comments, this country has many different races, and no one race owns the market on violence against his fellow man or women. Jeez enough already
There is only one race: The Human Race. Skin color, physical differences, culture, ethnicity, religion, gender, behavior, etc., etc........ have NOTHING to do with it. We are ALL humans, we are ALL homo-sapiens. Could everyone just get over it? Please?
No, Hoodie!! We need to bring back Pithecanthropoids or at the very least Neanderthals so we'll have a subspecies to feel superior to, especially after reading in the news what atrocities, lunacies, and acts of sheer stupidity our fellow Homo Sapiens have committed.
Now days with the technology that we have, it's almost impossible to get away with any type of crime. There are exceptions of course, but eventually, all will be revealed.
It's so hard to still believe in love when you read things like this.
never give up Julie, Life is good, just have to find the right person to live it with good luck!
Julie, I am a firm believer in Love. I have the love of a wonderful man that I adore.
For those trying to put race into this, that's just foolish. There are good and bad in all races/Nationalities.
Myself, I find the idea of divorce much easier to deal with than killing someone. Men and women alike kill their partners to keep the kids, keep the house, the money, whatever and what do they end up getting? 30yrs behind bars mostly.
Doesn't seem worth it to me.
You forgot to mention that 'Hell' is part of what they end up with. Wonder why it's usually ALWAYS men killing women? I grew up with the thought MEN were the 'protectors' of women. Guess not.....
Keep your heart open, Julie. There are many wonderful, loving, and caring men in the world and thank goodness situations like this are not the "norm".
In the meantime let us all remember that 3 children are going to have to grow up without their mother and what's worse is that their father is being charged with what appears to be her murder.
My prayer is that God will love and keep these precious children.
Peace.
"My prayer is that God will love and keep these precious children."
seems like he already failed at that. I mean what a strange way to love these children by having their mother murdered and their father, possibly, jailed for life. Its up to who ever takes these children in to love them not some mystical being.
Strange way to love, Ed? Well, it isn't love. It is misogynistic, egocentric narcissism. Some people, sadly men in particular, still believe that wives and children are their "possessions". If they don't like what is happening, just kill them!
C'mon Jules, theres a love out there, somewhere.
Julie:
Don't give up on love. I have been married to my husband for almost 26 years, and we are still very much in love with one another. The key is to marry someone who puts your own well-being in front of their own (and you must do the same), someone you respect and who respects you, someone with whom you share a lot of common interests. I think too often these days people jump into marriage thinking they can "get past" the things they really don't like about the person they are dating.
Thank you everyone for the encouraging words. Unfortunately and sadly, I am married and have been married for 12 years but it's the idea of thinking I may not know my husband. I am sure the husband in the article must have loved his then-wife at one point just like my husband must love me now ... something changed and the idea that it can happen to any couple is discouraging.
Julie,
Probably not so much. Usually there are signs, and people tend to ignore them, sometimes they think they can change the person, or their self esteem is low, so they think that person is the only person that will love them, etc.
We all take chances when we get married, and being married isn't always easy, but it's worth it. Keep lines of communication open, and never put up with abuse, of any kind, verbal, mental or physical.
This guy had a few screws loose!
Julie, I know it seems like it can happen to "any" couple, but that's not true. Unfortunately, a lot of people get into relationships without really knowing their mate. In our now mostly un-spiritual society, a lot of people never make any effort to get to know who a person is deep inside. And especially since a lot of people get into sexual relationships so quickly, they get "attached" to people without knowing who they are. I think most of society today doesn't really understand how much of an impact this has on relationships. There are many people who have come to know their mate as their best friend and really trust them before they make that commitment, and never have to worry about such a scenario. As a side note, there is a lot of information available about how to spot a sociopath who is putting one over on you. If you don't feel like you know your husband, then you should make it a priority to know him.
Ed, love is expressed in many ways. If God controlled everyone's every movement, we would be robots, something I doubt any of us desire. Not to mention the fact that the gratitude we show Him would just be programmed, and not genuine. It seems hard for me to believe that any normal person would appreciate gratitude under compulsion. Should we expect God to be any different?
Well, really. This made news because most men don't kill their wives. I would bet there is some history of abuse and her diary backs it up. So love is alive and fine...just pay attention to the red flags if there are some and listen to your gut.
Julie Pham You shouldn't let the misguided actions of some nutcase like this ex-cop turned wife killer get you down. The world is full of crazies like this guy so the best thing you can do is to move in circles of people where you are dealing with like minded people. It is when you start mixing the company that things can start to get a little strange. As for your situation, I suggest that you re-examine why it is that you decided to marry the guy you are with and how you can put a new spin on things so you can bring back the excitement that you once felt for him when you first met. One thing that you have to understand about being married is that it is an process of reinvention where you have to constantly be looking for ways to keep the relationship fresh because it is the new prospective that is going to keep you moving forward as a team. This is important so think about it and I am sure that in time you will understand what I mean. You are young and pretty so I don't see where you would have a problem; Good luck!!
Orlyfool, check out any post right now about Zimmerman.
Do you really believe Zimmy is white? Look at the man, he is not "white" as the media would like you to believe.
Many hispanics identify as white. It wasn't even a census category until recent years. Since he's half-white he can choose which category he wants.
Lynyrd, He's considered a "white Hispanic." Since Hispanic isn't a race, it's divided into white or black. But in the eyes of much of the public, no, I wouldn't say he is considered "white."
Who cares what race he is? What we know is that he is a misogynistic psychopath. That is all the information we need. These horrific excuses for people come in all colors and all races.
C'mon Jules, theres a love out there for you. It's just not the right time yet.
Hispanic is not a race. The man is white. Doesn't have to look like the "white" guy next door, lynard.
One more added to the list.
Ladies, please get out at the first sign of a dangerous man.
It will only get worse.
These cases always amaze me. I mean, no body, that is a resonable doubt right there. You just don't know if she is alvie or not. For all we know, she left the country and is living it up on some beach somewhere. Honestly???
Im wondering why the prosecutors say so early that they wonbt seek the death penalty. Taking the life of the mother is his triplets aint exactly acceptable!!
Chris: Mebbe she went to the moon to wait for Gingrich.
I assume the decision not to seek the death penalty is because they don't have a body. That's not unusual.
Chirs, you have no idea what the evidence they have is. I kind of doubt she is living it up on a beach somewhere. If they charged with 1st degree they would have some reason or he would be acquitted and never be convicted if her body did show up.
How about we let them do their job?
Okay Chirs, does the diary mean anything to you? The history of threats to her relative that was serious enough to get him put in prison? Her blood in his house hidden underneath it? Is that enough for you or maybe we can get him a house nears yours since there is no body and she's on a nice beach somewhere. Honestly.
Go check out the stats on women being killed in Harlem. I have, it will amaze you. Would care to just take a jab at the race of the killers. You just do not hear about that. Wonder why?
WTH is wrong with you ? Why would you try to make this a race thing ? Why would you try justify in any way what this guy did ? 3 Kids are now without a parent you jackazz.....
I'll consider checking the stats if the "killers" have yet to be tried for killing their wives. That tends to be something that happens in places OTHER than Harlem. Arrests are made regularly in Harlem, but not in Missouri's burbs? LOL.. but hey, its your world.
Bob W-------- why did you inject race into this discussion??? It's irrelevent and is really trolling.
1st degree murder.....and no body ? They got something good on this guy and he is toast.....as he should be. Poor kids .....
Wow at these comments! Anyway, just watched the story and felt compelled to offer condolences to the family of Jacque Waller. Just a very sad story and even more heartbreaking when you have three young children missing their mother.
How women managing to marry maniacs? Where in the hell their eyes, brains, "stomach feelings"? Thought, I have two daughters and I know I should not jump the rope here, I am sure (as a mother ) I am going to be there FOR THEM and if needed I will take the Tampax off their eyes and ears. I just really hope I will be able to protect them.
Do you really think it helps to judge women in this situation, Alina? Psychopaths are known for polishing their personalities to hide. They don't start out being evil maniacs. Wake up - these maniacs love to surprise people with their evil.
Too often I am hearing "She waited too long", they are lucky the kids are alive.
"Tampax off their eyes and ears"????? I enjoy a poignant metaphor as much as the next guy, but could someone, please, explain this one to me?
If Zimmerman had been the one killed he'd be described as Hispanic, but because he killed someone he's "white". My heart goes out to the family of the victims.
You're on the wrong thread pal, this has NOTHING TO DO WITH ZIMMERMAN or race, give it a rest!
Why can't people just divorce...it actually is better for the kids. While their parents live separately...at least they still have BOTH parents! Now they have none and grow up with the stigma of one parent killing the other.
5 years in Federal prison for posting an online threat...and on the other side of the world...a guy in Australia gets a few months for posting nude pics of an ex-girlfriend.
Because sometimes one party is screwed up and doesn't want the kids gone (should have thought of that before he did whatever he did to get tossed out) and/or doesn't want anyone else to have her. If neither party is abusive and/or mean as a snake this doesn't happen and they get divorced. Fortunately usually no one does those horrible things. Yes, the poor kids...no mother, but I'm glad they survived at at least. Triplets and mom gone..sigh.
Did you read the article? They were separated, they both had new partners, she was planning on getting a divorce, that's why he allegedly killed her.
Also, this isn't Australia: different countries, different laws. We don't know what the threats were. Apparently they were quite severe, otherwise he wouldn't be serving five years.
Personally, I'd much rather have nude pictures of me posted on-line than have someone threaten to kill me. The 1st hasn't happened but I have had my life threatened by someone I lived with and had to get a restraining order against him. He got in a physical fight with the police when they served him, so I guess I was right that he was a violent sociopath and may well have killed me. There's a world of difference between being a jerk and threatening to kill someone and now we know he threatened to kill his wife.
.....'planning on getting a divorce'...they both had new partners....
My point was...just get the freakin divorce. There are far too many instances of one party killing the other rather than getting a divorce.
Did you read my post? 'on the other side of the world' would indicate knowledge of Australia being a different country. Online threats...nude pics...both life altering for the victims. Thanks for clarifying that nude pics are ok while online threats are not.
Oh man, this doesn't sound good at all. Where is this woman?
Well, according to the guy's father he said he'd buried her. Somehow I don't think he's going to tell the police that however. I sincerely doubt that she's lying in the sun on a beach somewhere, which a previous poster suggested.
Pretty woman. Sad story.
What an odd comment. Would it be less sad if she was less pretty?
@Ed- 1118000
In this country we have the freedom of religion. On the other side of that you have the freedom to be a non-believer. Both sides have the right to voice their opinions. Though I'm not sure why you chose such a tragic story as an opportunity to voice yours. The difference between your post and Missy- 814760 is that her opinion showed kindness and love, yours showed anger and hate. How ironic...
I can never understand how someone can marry a person and then build so much hate that they can kill their spouse. It's even worse when kids are involved. I simply can' t understand that level of madness.
I'd like to know why this guy's picture isn't plastered all over the front page of the article..?! Strange how this guy is probably "white", but somehow, even tho he's been charged with MURDER..his pacture is suspiciously absent.. He's not a "minor".. He's not some "famous person" who needs his identity hidden.. So what's the deal here.. I notice this happens ALOT when someone non-"of color" commits a crime..the pictures are strangely absent, or late-in-coming. ..just saying.
Club man
And again, why did YOU inject race into the discussion?? This has no racial overtones. I think you're trolling to start an argument so you can start flaming!! That is part of what is wrong with this country.
1: "Spell-check" (This is also part of what's wrong with this country; poorly educated people.)
2: He's a cop in prison, if his identity was known he'd probably have been killed by now.
3: Like Tom in NH said.
And this would be bad, why?
Does anybody know how his father died? It is kind of fishy that he told his father what he did then he died.
I'm guessing he died from embarrassment from having an A-hole for a son
I wondered that myself. If he would kill his wife he would kill his father to keep himself out of trouble.
What I'm wondering is this: Why did he tell his father, who apparently ratted him out?
He fell down a flight of stairs...8 times.
What is wrong with these cowards that decide murder is a better option than divorce?! These cowards are just idiots to not think that when they are caught, they will be in prison for much longer than what time period divorce would have impacted their lives! Scott Peterson, Drew Peterson, Josh Powell...the list goes on! These scum of the earth maggots don't deserve to breath the same air as the rest of us! I say shoot them where it hurts...between the eyes and let them rot!
Always extra bad when a member of law enforcement is involved in evidence tampering on top of prime suspect in missing wife ordeal. to serve and protect(themself).
What really boggles my mind is, how can someone who was a cop actually think he/she will get away with the crime? Is it just pure arrogance that they think they're that much smarter than the investigators? And to hide what appears to be evidence UNDER THE HOUSE!! How moronic and arrogant is that?
This guy appears to have been the epitome of an arrogant fool deluding himself into believing he knew how to commit the perfect crime.
Lefty that I am (and anti-death penalty), I still find myself wishing you and your pistol had been there a few minutes before this bastard did his deed. I would buy you a beer and tell you how wrong it was...
Buffaloes: Smile of the week!
XD: Exactly! I thought the same thing, then caught myself thinking, "no one could be that stupid, maybe he was framed." Nah, STUPID!
Contrary to popular belief, not all law enforcement professionals are Rhodes Scholars.
"Hey! Let's hide the bloody carpet UNDER the house....cops will never look there!"
Devious hateful hearts....doesn't pay to find a special someone because this could
happen to anyone....men and women.
Don't get married in the first place and if you do-all you SCOTT PETERSONs of the United
States-just get an effing divorce. Now you get to spend lots and lots of time
reminescing about the good times and waiting for the time to pass....What a life you
carved for yourself.
Amen, Mallory!
Next time I'm tempted to get married, I'm going to look for a woman who hates me and buy her a house instead. Avoid a lot of unpleasantness and legal fees that way.