A Missouri assistant fire chief was arrested Friday on murder charges after investigators said a hidden video on his wife’s phone contradicted his claim that she died by suicide in 2023.
Jeremy Perrien, 45, was charged with second-degree murder, felony harassment, domestic assault, and two counts of tampering with physical evidence, according to court documents reviewed by authorities. He was taken into custody at Fire Station Four in Scott County, Missouri, following a 14-month investigation into the death of his wife, Shelby Perrien, 31.
Perrien initially told investigators that on June 25, 2023, he and his wife were driving home from a bar in Cape Girardeau when she suddenly said, "I'm sorry, I'm a piece of s---," pulled out a .380 caliber handgun, and shot herself in the head. He claimed the incident occurred without argument and that he made no stops afterward.
However, authorities allege Perrien later admitted to lying about his actions immediately after the shooting, stating he had pulled over on Kingshighway to urinate. Investigators later uncovered evidence they say disproved his account.
A hidden video on Shelby Perrien’s phone, recorded about a month before her death, allegedly shows Jeremy Perrien striking her, grabbing her by the throat, choking her, and punching her repeatedly. The affidavit states that during the recording, he also threatened to kill her multiple times. Investigators said the video was stored in a hidden folder on her device.
Perrien was booked into the Scott County Jail following his arrest. The charges carry potential felony penalties, including life imprisonment for second-degree murder. No public statements have been issued by Perrien’s legal representatives or law enforcement regarding the ongoing investigation.
The case has drawn attention due to Perrien’s position within the fire department and the length of the investigation, which spanned over a year before his arrest. Authorities have not disclosed additional details about the investigation’s findings beyond the charges and the video evidence.
The Scott County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the arrest but declined to provide further comment, citing the active nature of the case. The Missouri State Highway Patrol assisted in the arrest, according to Sheriff Derick Wheetley.
Perrien’s employment status with the fire department has not been publicly addressed. The case remains under review by prosecutors, who have not yet filed additional charges or provided a timeline for trial proceedings.