BREAKING: A 46-year-old man has been charged with first- and second-degree murder following the shocking discovery of a woman’s body in Howard, South Dakota. Elias Stubbe faces these serious charges in connection with the death of 56-year-old Nichole Malfero, who was pronounced dead early Saturday morning.
Authorities were dispatched to a residence in Howard at 2:50 a.m., where they found Malfero deceased. An autopsy is scheduled for Monday to determine the cause of death. In a statement, Attorney General Marty Jackley confirmed that the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation is actively processing evidence collected from the scene and conducting interviews. “There is no danger to the public,” Jackley noted, emphasizing the ongoing nature of the investigation.
Stubbe is currently being held on a $1 million cash bond at the Davison County Jail in Mitchell. He is presumed innocent under the U.S. Constitution. Notably, court documents reveal that Stubbe also faces unrelated first- and second-degree burglary charges in Miner County from an incident earlier this summer.
As investigators continue to gather information, authorities stress the importance of public safety and transparency. The community is urged to remain vigilant as updates unfold from this tragic event.
Stay tuned for more details as this story develops. The investigation remains active, and further information will be released as it becomes available.
