Content warning: This article contains references to domestic abuse that some readers may find distressing.
A Missouri assistant fire chief who spent over a year claiming his wife killed herself while they were driving down the highway was slapped with murder charges after a hidden phone video blew his cover, investigators say.
Jeremy Perrien, 45, was arrested Friday, Aug. 21, at Fire Station Four in Scott County, Missouri, bringing an end to a 14-month investigation in the small town. He was charged with second-degree murder, felony harassment, domestic assault and two counts of tampering with physical evidence in a felony prosecution.
According to an affidavit reviewed by Fox News Digital, the assistant fire chief initially told authorities that he and his wife, 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.
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When asked whether he made any stops following the shooting, Perrien told deputies that he didn't but then said, "I lied, I pulled over on Kingshighway to p---." Perrien allegedly told authorities that the ride was "non-argumentative."
But investigators now say his story was a sham and that behind closed doors, the assistant fire chief was allegedly living 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 death. In the video, according to the affidavit, Jeremy was seen striking his wife, grabbing her by the throat, choking her and repeatedly punching her. Investigators said Perrien also threatened to kill her multiple times 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 told his wife.
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"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.
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At another point in the graphic exchange, Jeremy allegedly threw his wedding band in her face and said, "I'm never wearing that son a b---- again."
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State police also recovered disturbing text messages where Jeremy allegedly sent: "You 100% will need a body bag if I stay with you. Each time my rage is worse."
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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 analysis of the blood spatter and physical evidence inside the vehicle determined it was impossible for Shelby to have pulled the trigger, according to authorities.
Perrien was arrested Friday, and is currently being held at the Stoddard County Jail without bond.
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Scott County Sheriff Derick Wheetley said he personally knew both Jeremy and Shelby Perrien and had worked alongside Jeremy at numerous fire 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 release. "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 comment from the Scott County Rural Fire Department. It was not immediately clear if Perrien had an attorney representing him.
