DES MOINES, LOWA: Iowa resident Gregory Showalter Sr faced a dramatic turn of events 20 hours after his conviction for the 2021 murder of his wife.
Found guilty of first-degree murder, abuse of a corpse, willful injury causing serious harm, and domestic abuse assault impeding air / blood flow causing injury, Showalter's trial had been progressing over the week-long trial.
On the fateful Friday, September 22, when the jury returned a verdict, he was expected to return to court after a lunch break but failed to do so.
This absence triggered a search by law enforcement, including the Ottumwa Police, to locate Showalter.
Sgt. Shaw explains Showalter's courtroom no-show
When Showalter did not show up in court on that fateful Friday, Sgt. Shaw spoke to PEOPLE: “His trial came and he was appearing throughout the week and then on Friday when they took their lunch break and the jury had come back with a verdict, he was supposed to come back after the lunch break and he never returned.”
Their investigation led them to his residence in Ottumwa, Iowa.
Authorities soon determined that Showalter had fled into the wooded area behind his home. Police were “able to track him for quite a distance before they lost his trail,” Shaw added.
With Showalter on the run, a judge took action, canceling his bond and issuing an arrest warrant based on his failure to appear for the jury's verdict on all four counts.
On the following day, law enforcement returned to Showalter's residence for a follow-up investigation. After obtaining consent to search the premises, they discovered Showalter hiding inside.
Showalter's faces additional charges
Showalter's arrest took place around 9:45 am on that Saturday, September 23. The Iowa Department of Public Safety had previously warned the public that Showalter was to be considered "armed and dangerous."
Sgt. Derek Shaw, Ottumwa Police, confirmed that Showalter will face additional charges related to his actions, particularly interference with official acts.
He was subsequently booked into the Wapello County Jail. Showalter's sentencing hearing is scheduled for October 16, according to online records.
The underlying case revolves around the alleged murder of Showalter's wife, Helen Showalter, on July 31, 2021.
This tragic incident occurred at a job site on Pennsylvania Avenue in Ottumwa while the couple was in the process of divorcing after 40 years of marriage.
Gregory Showalter was said to have disposed of his wife's body in the Cliffland River Access area of the Des Moines River. Her remains were discovered by a civilian the day after her family reported her as missing.
