Man kills 75-year-old wife because he was ‘exhausted’ caring for her, MO cops say

A man killed his 75-year-old wife because he didn’t want her to die in a nursing home instead, Missouri authorities say.

A family member called 911 on Friday, April 25, saying Kenneth Pautler shot his own wife in their Fenton home, according to court documents obtained by KSDK.

The victim’s body was discovered in the couple’s bedroom, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office said.

She had been shot in the “lower back and upper arm,” KMOV reported, citing a probable cause statement.

Authorities said Pautler was arrested at the scene.

Pautler, 73, told detectives he shot his wife because he was too “exhausted” to care for her, KTVI reported, citing a probable cause statement. He said she “suffered from unspecified mental health issues, and that he didn’t want her to die in a nursing home.”

“Kenneth advised he wanted the victim’s death to be humane, so he chose a specific cartridge for the firearm,” a detective wrote in the probable cause statement obtained by KMOV. “Kenneth also stated he chose his shot placement to kill the victim as quick as possible.”

Pautler was charged with first-degree murder and armed criminal action, the sheriff’s office said. He is being held in the Jefferson County Jail without bond.

His wife was identified by the sheriff’s office as Karen Pautler.

Fenton is about a 20-mile drive southwest from St. Louis.

This story was originally published April 28, 2025 at 8:27 AM with the headline "Man kills 75-year-old wife because he was ‘exhausted’ caring for her, MO cops say."