A 49-year-old Centralia man has been arrested on a Clinton County warrant charging murder in connection with the stabbing last Wednesday at their home that later claimed the life of his wife.
Centralia Police say Jason Reynolds of South Beech was taken into custody after he was released from a St. Louis hospital where he was undergoing treatment. Police say Jason Reynolds allegedly stabbed 43-year-old Jessica Reynolds of the same address before stabbing himself. Both were sitting on their porch when police arrived.
Jessica Reynolds was transported to SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital in Centralia, where she died about an hour later, while Jason Reynolds was transported to a St. Louis hospital for treatment, where he remained until his release over the weekend.
Centralia Police Lieutenant Steve Whritenour indicates Jessica Reynolds told police the stabbing occurred when she told her husband she was going to call police to report a domestic battery that happened the night before.
Marion County Coroner Claude Howell says an autopsy showed Jessica Reynolds died from a perforated heart and lung consistent with a stabbing.
Jason Reynolds remained in the St. Louis City Jail on Tuesday awaiting extradition back to Clinton County to face the murder charge.
