Former corrections officer allegedly killed his wife and forced his kids to help

CALLAWAY COUNTY, Mo. (KOMU) - A former corrections officer from Missouri is facing charges for allegedly killing his wife 10 months ago and forcing his kids to help.

Jonathan G. Houston, 44, is charged with first-degree murder and first-degree kidnapping in his wife’s death, according to the Callaway County Sheriff’s Office. Investigators learned about the alleged crimes after receiving a 911 call Sunday morning from one of his seven children.

Whispering during the call, the child claimed her father had “captured” her and her siblings for five years and physically abused them, according to court documents.

Authorities traced the call to a hotel in Kingdom City, where they found Houston – who is a former corrections officer – and his kids.

One of the kids told deputies that Houston had allegedly killed her mother, who was also the suspect’s wife, by strangling her at the hotel on Dec. 1, 2025, while some of the siblings were in the room.

Houston allegedly directed one child to pour hot water down the victim’s legs while she was being strangled, and another covered her mouth. Prior to this, he allegedly put the three youngest children in the bathroom and played music to muffle the victim’s screams, according to court documents.

The victim was never reported missing. Houston allegedly disposed of her body in a trash bag that was tossed into a dumpster on hotel property, the probable cause statement states.

During an interview with investigators, Houston allegedly admitted to killing his wife and planning it ahead of time, according to court documents.

Houston is being held in jail without bond. He is also under prior investigations for sexual assault and the assault of other victims.

Authorities say his kids were all placed into protective custody.