WASHINGTON COUNTY, Mo. — A Richwoods man was accused of beating and killing his ex-girlfriend and getting his new girlfriend to help him hide the body and destroy evidence, according to charging documents.
Tony Charboneau and Brandi Luffy were charged in connection with the June 20 shooting death of an unnamed woman in Washington County.
Zach Jacobsen, Washington County sheriff, said the victim's name was Amy Houge.
Police said Charboneau began punching and stomping on Houge after arguing with her on his property. After attacking her, Charboneau then loaded her into a wheelchair, tied her hands and feet up using ratchet straps, and loaded her into the back of his car.
Police said while Charboneau was tying Houge up, Luffy collected shovels, tarps, a pickaxe, and a gun and loaded them into the car. They then drove Houge to a nearby wooded area and brought her down a hill. After digging a shallow grave, police said he shot Houge in the head. He then covered her body with dirt, tree limbs and large rocks while Luffy stayed in the car as a lookout, according to charging documents.
After leaving the scene, charging documents said Charboneau and Luffy burnt the ratchet straps and tarp and dumped Houge's purse into a river in Jefferson County.
Charging documents said Luffy admitted to the crimes in an interview with police and brought them to the site of the shallow grave.
"This case is horrifying in every respect, and my office will not rest until the victim's killers are brought to justice," Washington County Prosecuting Attorney John I. Jones IV said in a statement.
Charboneau was charged with first-degree murder, domestic assault, kidnapping, abandonment of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence, and conspiracy to commit kidnapping. Luffy was charged with second-degree murder, first-degree kidnapping, abandonment of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence, and conspiracy to commit kidnapping.
“This crime is heinous, and it was pointless,” said Jacobsen. “That makes it even worse, the fact that she finally got enough and she was ready to leave and get away from this situation, and she was killed for it.”
Jacobsen says Houge leaves behind three children unrelated to her ex-boyfriend. Both Charboneau and Luffy are now in custody.
Sheriff Jacobsen tells us the tragedy points to a critical need for people struggling to escape violence.
“There's hardly any cell service here. So if you do need help, it's pretty hard to get help. There's a lot of things that could have changed in this situation,” he said.
A spokesperson with the nonprofit Missing in America Network tells us the tragedy is a reminder of the dangers of domestic violence.
“We are devastated to learn the details of what happened … This is the worst nightmare for every family with a missing loved one. It is a stark reminder of the tragic reality that domestic violence remains a prevalent and heartbreaking cause behind many missing women. Our thoughts are with the family during this incredibly difficult time, and we are committed to supporting them in every way we can,” said Missing in America Network spokesperson Rhonda Dequier.
Resources for crime victims
If you have been a victim of a crime or know someone who has been, 5 On Your Side has compiled a list of resources.
The Crime Victim Center of St. Louis has multiple programs to support victims of crime. Crime Victim Center’s programs range from direct services to crime victims as well as “creating awareness and change within the systems they encounter.”
Life Outside of Violence "helps those harmed by stabbing, gunshot or assault receive the treatment, support and resources they need to find alternatives to end the cycle of violence."
The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis has the Neighborhood Healing Network, which serves people who have experienced crime, violence or been the victim of an incident that caused trauma.
The Bullet Related Injury Clinic (BRIC) is a community-based clinic in St. Louis that helps people heal after they have been injured by a bullet. The BRIC was established to help people who are discharged from the emergency department after being shot.