Madison Nicole Rueckert (Webster County Sheriff’s Office).
In Missouri, a 21-year-old woman was handed a 35-year prison sentence by Webster County Circuit Judge Chuck C. Replogle for fatally shooting her 24-year-old boyfriend, Jonathan Miller, in the head on New Year’s Eve. The shooting occurred after the woman, Madison Nicole Rueckert, discovered messages from Miller to other women.
Rueckert was initially charged with first-degree murder and armed criminal action but later struck a deal with prosecutors. She pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and armed criminal action. As a result, she was sentenced to 25 years for murder and 10 years for the lesser charge, to be served consecutively.
The tragic incident unfolded at a local residence on December 31, 2022, as revealed in a probable cause affidavit from The Marshfield Mail. Rueckert’s actions were driven by her discovery of Miller’s communication with other women on his phone.
After allegedly making that discovery, authorities said that Rueckert waited for Miller to fall asleep before grabbing a firearm and shooting him. Following the shooting, Rueckert drove a short distance north to Dallas County, Missouri, where she reportedly spent the night hiding in the woods.
The following day, Rueckert drove to the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office and turned herself over to authorities. Marshfield detectives traveled to Dallas County to speak with Rueckert, who reportedly provided details about her motive and the murder. A handgun was recovered from her vehicle that matched the weapon used in the shooting, Springfield, Missouri, news radio station KWTO reported.
Miller’s mother, Ann Kopp, spoke about the day she learned of her son’s death in an interview with Kansas City, Missouri, CBS affiliate KCTV. She told the station that she and her husband had been trying to reach Miller before deciding to go to his home.
“When we got to John’s house, the police department was already there,” Kopp told the station. “Madison [Rueckert’s] mom was already there. Sergeant Neil had just pulled up. He wanted to talk to me. So I got in the car with [Sgt.] Neil, and he goes, I’m sorry to have to tell you this, but your son was the victim of a homicide.”
Kopp also said she was baffled by what authorities said motivated Rueckert to kill her son.
“I couldn’t believe it [was] because she found messages from him to other women,” she said. “He hadn’t even cheated on her.”
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