Executive Summary
- Elias Stubbe, 46, has been charged with first and second-degree murder in Miner County.
- The body of 56-year-old Nichole Malfero was discovered at a home in Howard, S.D., early Saturday.
- The suspect is being held on a $1 million cash bond pending further legal proceedings.
- Attorney General Marty Jackley stated there is no ongoing threat to the public.
HOWARD, S.D. — Authorities in South Dakota have charged a 46-year-old man with first and second-degree murder following the discovery of a deceased woman in Miner County early Saturday morning. Law enforcement officials launched a homicide investigation after locating the body at a residence in Howard.
The victim has been identified by authorities as 56-year-old Nichole Malfero. Following the discovery, police took Elias Stubbe into custody. He has been booked into the Davison County Jail in Mitchell, where he is currently being held on a $1 million cash bond.
According to the investigation details released so far, an autopsy has been scheduled for Monday. This procedure is expected to provide definitive information regarding the cause and manner of Malfero’s death, which will further inform the scope of the charges.
Investigative Outlook & Public Safety
South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley has publicly stated that there is no ongoing danger to the community, indicating that law enforcement views this as an isolated incident rather than a random act of violence. As the case proceeds to the judicial phase, the results of the pending autopsy will be pivotal in solidifying the prosecutorial strategy. It is important to note that all individuals, including Mr. Stubbe, are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
