Content warning: This article accommodates references to home abuse that some readers may discover distressing.

A Missouri assistant fireplace chief who spent over a 12 months claiming his spouse killed herself while they were driving down the freeway was slapped with homicide costs after a hidden cellphone video blew his cowl, investigators say.

Jeremy Perrien, 45, was arrested Friday, Aug. 21, at Fire Station Four in Scott County, Missouri, bringing an finish to a 14-month investigation in the small city. He was charged with second-degree homicide, felony harassment, home assault and two counts of tampering with bodily proof in a felony prosecution.

According to an affidavit reviewed by Fox News Digital, the assistant fireplace chief initially informed authorities that he and his spouse, 31-year-old Shelby Perrien, were driving back from a bar in Cape Girardeau on June 25, 2025, when she said, “I’m sorry, I’m a piece of s—,” pulled out a .380 caliber handgun and shot herself in the head.

When requested whether he made any stops following the capturing, Perrien informed deputies that he didn’t but then said, “I lied, I pulled over on Kingshighway to p—.” Perrien allegedly informed authorities that the experience was “non-argumentative.”

Shelby Perrien, 31, of Blodgett, Missouri, was allegedly murdered in June 2025. Caudle Funeral Home

But investigators now say his story was a sham and that behind closed doorways, the assistant fireplace chief was allegedly residing a double life.

When detectives cracked open Shelby’s cellphone, they unlocked a “hidden folder” containing a 90-second video recorded just a month before her dying. In the video, according to the affidavit, Jeremy was seen putting his spouse, grabbing her by the throat, choking her and repeatedly punching her. Investigators said Perrien also threatened to kill her a number of occasions during the recording.

“I would not get mouthy with me. I will, I’ll f——. I want to kill you so f—— bad right now,” Jeremy allegedly informed his spouse.

“If you’re going to lie, then I’m just going to smash your face and go to jail and end my f—— life with you,” he allegedly said.

Missouri assistant fireplace chief Jeremy Perrien was charged with homicide after a hidden video was discovered on his spouse’s cellphone. Scott County Sheriff’s Office

At another level in the graphic alternate, Jeremy allegedly threw his wedding ceremony band in her face and said, “I’m never wearing that son a b—- again.”

State police also recovered disturbing textual content messages where Jeremy allegedly despatched: “You 100% will need a body bag if I stay with you. Each time my rage is worse.”

In another message, according to the affidavit, he wrote, “I’d be lying to you if I told you that I was hoping that you wouldn’t commit suicide.”

Perrien’s undoing came from the crime lab after forensic evaluation of the blood spatter and bodily proof inside the automobile decided it was unattainable for Shelby to have pulled the set off, according to authorities.

Perrien was arrested Friday, and is presently being held at the Stoddard County Jail with out bond.

Scott County Sheriff Derick Wheetley said he personally knew both Jeremy and Shelby Perrien and had labored alongside Jeremy at quite a few fireplace scenes and calls for service.

“This has never been something I took lightly, and I wanted the truth just as much as Shelby’s family, friends, and this community did,” Wheetley said in a launch. “Today’s charges demonstrate exactly why we turned this investigation over from the beginning and why we remained patient and allowed independent agencies to follow the evidence wherever it led.”

Fox News Digital has requested remark from the Scott County Rural Fire Department. It was not instantly clear if Perrien had an legal professional representing him.