Bail set at $1M for man accused of blowing up house to cover up wife’s murder
MADISON, Wis. — The man accused of killing his wife and blowing up their west Madison home last week to cover it up had bail set at $1 million Tuesday.
Steve Pirus was in Dane County court for a bail hearing related to the explosion of the house on Stratton Way Wednesday and the discovery of his wife Lee Ann Pirus’s body in the rubble two days later.
According to a probable cause affidavit filed in the case Saturday, Steve Pirus admitted to police the same day that he shot Lee Ann sometime between July 30 and Aug. 12 at their home. He told police that she asked him to kill her, and he blew up the house to conceal that she was shot.
Assistant District Attorney David Hart said Pirus moved his belongings out of the house before he loosened the connection to the dryer in the house. Natural gas caused the explosion that destroyed the home, but it was a gunshot wound to the head that killed Lee Ann Pirus.
“We can’t determine when she died because of the decomposition of her body,” Hart said in court.
Hart said the Dane County District Attorney’s Office expects to file charges of first-degree intentional homicide, arson and first-degree reckless endangerment.
The judge said bail was set at the ADA’s request of $1 million because, “If he’s willing to blow up his house to cover up a homicide, what’s he willing to do to not end up in court?”
An initial appearance is scheduled at 1:30 p.m. Thursday.
Judge “if he’s willing to blow up his house to cover up a homicide what’s he willing to do to not end up in court?” #news3 pic.twitter.com/wNyjXf9hdB
— Jessica Arp (@news3jessica) September 19, 2017
Pirus told police he shot his wife in the head between July 30th- August 12th at their home, according to court documents. #news3 pic.twitter.com/zmaGT87FXB
— Velena Jones (@velenajones) September 19, 2017
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