CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. — During a Thursday hearing, federal prosecutor Larry Ferrell said Clay Waller confessed to killing his estranged wife Jacque Waller, whom authorities have been looking for since June 1.
The alleged confession was to Clay Waller's father. No information yet as to how prosecutors discovered the confession.
Clay Waller wasn't in court for the dissappearance, though. The prosecutor's revelation came while Waller was making an appearance for allegedly making Internet threats against one of Jacque Waller's family members.
Clay Waller was mentioned as a suspect in his wife's disappearance by a county prosecutor before, but the federal prosecutor's statement in federal court is the first public statement to link Clay Waller to a crime in his wife's disappearance.
Even after the alleged murder confession was revealed in court, there are still no murder charges against a man whom Jacque Waller's parents say killed their daughter.
The missing mother's parents say they know their daughter's husband killed her and that today's confession should help prove it.
You may remember on June 1, Jacque Waller, a Missouri mother of three, disappeared.
Her husband, Clay Waller was the last person to see her. He told authorities she walked away from her house after an argument.
Since then, he has been charged with unrelated crimes of harassment and stealing.
Investigators stress he's considered a person of interest in his wife's disappearnce case but not a suspect.
Clay Waller's attorney, who doesn't represent him in the theft case, is surprised by Thursday's courtroom allegations but said there's still not enough evidence to charge Waller in connection with the dissapearance.
For 100 days, crews have searched and Jacque Waller's parents Stan and Ruby Rawson have prayed for closure.
"I want my baby back so we can bury her properly and be able to show the triplets here's where your mom is at," Stan Rawson said.
But they said Thursday's courtroom revelation is nothing new to them. They said they've known about the alleged confession for some time.
Clay Waller's attorney Scott Reynolds got a phone call from Clay during our interview and told Local 6 some of what came out in court Thursday did surprise him.
Reynolds is concerned by the fact a federal prosecutor would bring up evidence in a case unrelated to Jacque Waller's dissapearance.
"He went through all evidence that I'm not even allowed to have yet. The case hasn't even been filed," Reynolds said.
A lieutenant with the missing person case said the confession doesnt really change anything for them. They knew all the information already.
Jacque Waller's parents said there is still even more information that hasn't come out yet.
"He (Clay) know's exactly what he did with her. Don't let nobody tell you any different," Stan Rawson said.
But Clay Waller's attorney said not so fast.
"Based on what I know at this time, I think there's specific evidence to show reasonable doubt," Reynolds said.
Clay Waller is charged with sending threatening emails. He's currently being lodged at the Pemiscot County Jail without bond.
A lietenant with the investigation said there's just not enough good solid evidence yet. He said if they find a body, then they'd likely press charges. But that's hard to do without a body and no DNA evidence.
Jacque Waller's 5-year-old triplets have gone a hundred days without seeing their mom. But their grandparents said they're doing alright and are actually in counseling right now.
They're living with their aunt, Jacque Waller's sister.
Clay Waller's attorney has said before that he was fighting for custody of his kids. Thursday, he wouldn't comment on that case.
If you have any information regarding the whereabouts of Jacque Sue Waller, please call the Jackson Police Department at (573) 243-3151. The family is offering a reward for any information leading to the location of Jacque's body.
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