An Iowa man on trial for the murder of his wife has gone missing after learning that the jury reached a verdict in the case, the Ottumwa Courier reports.
On Friday afternoon, Gregory Showalter Sr. failed to show up to the Wapello County Courthouse for the verdict reading, prompting a judge to issue a warrant for his arrest.
Prosecutors alleged that Showalter, now 63, strangled to death his 60-year-old wife, Helen, on July 31, 2021. Authorities believe he then dumped her body in or near the Des Moines River, where it was found floating the following morning by the city of Ottumwa.
Showalter had been free on bail after posting 10% of a $250,000 bond, but as part of his bail conditions, he was required to attend court proceedings and wear a GPS monitor.
The defendant’s attorney told the court that he called his client shortly after 1 p.m. Friday and directed him to come to the courthouse, where the verdict would be read.
After time passed and Showalter failed to arrive, police began searching for Showalter and Judge Daniel Wilson directed that the verdict be read. Jurors convicted Showalter of first-degree murder, abuse of a corpse and willful injury causing serious injury, in addition to domestic abuse assault, the Courier reports.
Officers searching for Showalter said they came upon a woman outside his home who alleged that she was his friend. She told police that Showalter had provided her keys to his vehicle and commented that he would not need the anymore, according to the newspaper.
The woman reportedly thought Showalter was walking to the courthouse but did not know where he ultimately went.
Showalter’s cellphone carrier told investigators that the device was shut off around 1:30 p.m. Friday. Police also believe Showalter cut off the GPS monitor.
Authorities issued an alert to Wapello County urging residents to call 911 if Showalter. Community members were advised to take their keys out of their vehicles when not in use, according to KTVO-TV.
Showalter is about 6-foot-2 and 160 pounds, according to the Iowa Department of Public Safety.
Wilson canceled Showalter’s bond and scheduled a sentencing hearing for October 16. Showalter faces life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Ottumwa is about 85 miles southeast of Des Moines.
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[Feature Photo: Gregory Showalter Sr/Iowa Department of Public Safety]
