Indiana Man Charged With Murder In Wife's Killing: Police

LEBANON, IN — The son of a Boone County Councilwoman has been charged with murder in connection with his wife's death, according to the Boone County Sheriff's Office.

Indiana State Police found the body of Elizabeth "Nikki" Wilhoite at around 3 a.m. Saturday in a creek near the Lebanon home where she and her husband, Andrew Wilhoite, lived. Nikki Wilhoite was reported missing by a co-worker when she didn't show up to work Friday morning, according to authorities.

When the members of the Boone County Sheriff's Office couldn't locate Nikki and determined the case could be a homicide, Sheriff Mike Nielsen turned the investigation over to Indiana State Police citing a conflict of interest. Andrew Wilhoite is the son of Boone County Councilwoman Marcia Wilhoite.

Andrew, 39, is accused of striking Nikki, 41, with a blunt object during a domestic dispute, knocking her unconscious. He then drove her to the creek, where he dumped her, police said. Authorities later found her body partially submerged in three feet of water, and she was pronounced dead by the Boone County Coroner's Office.

The cause of death is being determined by an autopsy, police said.

Andrew Wilhoite was arrested Saturday morning and is currently in Boone County Jail, according to jail records.

Elizabeth Wilhoite filed for a legal separation from Andrew Wilhoite in Boone County Circuit Court on March 17, according to court documents.