MADISON, WI (WKOW/CNN) – A man in Wisconsin was arrested after police say he shot and killed his wife then used natural gas to blow up their home weeks or months after her death.
Steven Pirus, 59, is expected to face charges of first degree intentional homicide, arson and recklessly endangering safety.
Police say Pirus manipulated his home’s natural gas system, setting off an explosion Wednesday in a Madison, WI, neighborhood.
The body of Pirus’ wife, Lee Ann, was found in the rubble Friday.
An autopsy shows the victim died from a gunshot wound and not from injuries sustained in the explosion.
Police said Sunday Pirus shot and killed his wife and that the woman’s body remained in the home “for weeks, if not months” before the explosion.
Chief Mike Koval with the Madison Police didn’t give a motive for Pirus’ alleged actions. The couple had been married for 20 years and reportedly built the house together.
"Steven Pirus shot and killed Lee Ann. Secondly, Lee Ann had been deceased as a result of being shot by her husband for weeks, if not months. Third, Lee Ann was in the house when the house exploded. And fourth, Steven intentionally blew up this house,” Koval said.
Pirus was arrested Saturday. His wife’s death remains under investigation.
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