Jeremy Perrien was arrested Friday and charged with murdering his wife after a hidden video contradicted his suicide story.
The 45-year-old assistant fire chief was taken into custody at Fire Station Four in Scott County, Missouri, ending a 14-month investigation into the death of Shelby Perrien, 31. He faces second-degree murder, felony harassment, domestic assault and two counts of tampering with physical evidence in a felony prosecution.
Perrien initially told authorities that he and Shelby were driving back from a bar in Cape Girardeau on June 25, when she pulled out a.380 caliber handgun and shot herself in the head. He claimed she said, “I’m sorry, I’m a piece of s—,” before firing.
When deputies asked whether he made any stops after the shooting, Perrien first denied it but then admitted, “I lied, I pulled over on Kingshighway to p—.” He allegedly described the ride as “non-argumentative.”
But investigators say forensic evidence and a hidden recording exposed his account as fabricated. Detectives discovered a 90-second video in a locked folder on Shelby’s cellphone, recorded just one month before her death.
In the video, according to the affidavit, Jeremy was seen striking his wife, grabbing her by the throat, choking her and repeatedly punching her. Investigators said he also threatened to kill her multiple times during the recording.
“I would not get mouthy with me. I will, I’ll f——. I want to kill you so f—— bad right now,” he allegedly told her in the footage.
“If you’re going to lie, then I’m just going to smash your face and go to jail and end my f—— life with you,” he allegedly continued.
At another point in the graphic exchange, Jeremy allegedly threw his wedding band in her face and declared, “I’m never wearing that son a b—- again.”
State police also recovered disturbing text messages where Jeremy allegedly sent Shelby a chilling warning: “You 100% will need a body bag if I stay with you. Each time my rage is worse.”
In another message, according to the affidavit, he wrote, “I’d be lying to you if I told you that I was hoping that you wouldn’t commit suicide.”
The case broke open when forensic analysis of blood spatter and physical evidence inside the vehicle determined it was impossible for Shelby to have pulled the trigger herself, authorities said.
Scott County Sheriff Derick Wheetley, who said he personally knew both Jeremy and Shelby and had worked alongside Jeremy at numerous fire scenes, addressed the arrest in a release.
“This has never been something I took lightly, and I wanted the truth just as much as Shelby’s family, friends, and this community did,” Wheetley said. “Today’s charges demonstrate exactly why we turned this investigation over from the beginning and why we remained patient and allowed independent agencies to follow the evidence wherever it led.”
Perrien is currently being held at the Stoddard County Jail without bond.