Police: Husband killed wife, intentionally blew up Madison home

Steven Pirus is in custody for allegedly shooting his wife and attempting to cover up the crime with a house explosion, according to Madison police.

The couple’s home on Stratton Way exploded Wednesday afternoon. Fire officials found the body of 50-year-old Lee Anne Pirus among the rubble.

An autopsy by the Dane County Medical Examiner shows Pirus died from homicidal firearm trauma, not injuries sustained from the blast. Koval said in the press conference Pirus was dead for weeks or months before the explosion.

Police confirmed Steven Pirus intentionally caused a natural gas leak to explode the house. Koval said Pirus admitted to shooting his wife then blowing up their home to cover up the homicide.

Pirus is being charged with first degree intentional homicide, arson and reckless endangerment, Police Chief Mike Koval said in a press conference Sunday.

News 3 previously reported that public records show the home was owned by Steven and Lee Anne Pirus since 2005. As of Sunday afternoon, Steven Pirus was in custody in the Dane County jail, News 3 has confirmed.

The death is still under investigation by the Madison Police Department, Madison Fire Department, Wisconsin Department of Justice Office of the State Fire Marshal and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.

Stay tuned to News 3 and Channel3000.com for more on this developing story.

COPYRIGHT 2023 BY CHANNEL 3000. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.