Feds Say Clay Waller Admitted Killing His Wife; Want Him Held Without Bail

By Chad Garrison on Fri, Sep 9, 2011 at 7:50 am

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Investigators shed light on what they believe happened to Jacque Sue Waller.

Clay Waller allegedly told his father that he killed his wife, Jacque Sue Waller, according to testimony given yesterday in federal court in Cape Girardeau.

Federal prosecutors say the murder was premeditated with Clay Waller digging his wife's grave before killing her inside his rented home in Jackson, Missouri. Jacque Sue Waller has been missing since June 1 after she stopped by her estranged husband's house.

Federal prosecutors also announced yesterday that they found blood remnants from Jacque inside the home, including a blood-soaked piece of rug hidden in a crawl space in the residence. Clay Waller has allegedly admitted that the blood is his wife's, but says she accidentally injured herself and later helped him clean up the mess. He hid the soiled rug, so his landlord wouldn't find it and want compensation for the ruined furnishing.

Clay Waller has refused to cooperate with investigators since shortly after his wife's disappearance.

These new details come following a federal grand jury indictment this week, accusing Clay Waller of making online threats against Jacque's sister, Cheryl Brenneke. Brenneke has custody of Clay and Jacque's five-year-old triplets. In the online forum, Topix, Clay Waller allegedly made a threat July 26 to kill Brenneke if anything happened to the children.

Prosecutors brought up the murder evidence they've compiled against Waller during a hearing yesterday arguing that he be held without bond. Waller is currently being housed in county jail. A federal judge yesterday continued the detention hearing to Monday.

Prosecutors had asked to move the court to the nursing home where Clay Waller's father lives, to hear his testimony against his son. The judge denied that request, but left open the possibility of prosecutors presenting a deposition from the elder Waller at Monday's hearing. Waller's father is reportedly to frail to attend court.

The Southeast Missourian has many more details on yesterday's testimony and has been the official news source on information regarding Jacque's disappearance. Hats off to them.