Jacque Waller
Clay Waller
Cape Girardeau, MO (KSDK) - The husband of a missing mother of triplets says he's been the target of vandalism and even received threats from local police.
In an article published in The Southeast Missourian, Clay Waller says the Jackson Police Department should stop focusing its attention on him and look for his wife, Jacque Waller, who has been missing since June 1. The couple was in the midst of a divorce when Jacque disappeared. She was last seen near Clay Waller's home in Jackson.
Meanwhile, Jackson Police Department Chief James Humphreys called Waller's allegations "ludicrous."
The Jackson Police Department says Waller is a person of interest in the case, but has not declared him a suspect.
The case also received more national attention Wednesday night, with Jacque Waller's story being featured on Nancy Grace.
Up until Wednesday, Jacque's husband, Clay Waller, was only speaking through his attorney. With his head hung low and little eye contact, Clay Waller spoke out for the first time since the disappearance of his wife.
"We want her to come home alive," he said.
Clay Waller husband opened up while on his way to a meeting with Social Services, facing-off against Jacque's sister and brother in-law, Cheryl and Bob Brenneke, for custody of his and Jacque's five-year-old triplets.
"Just miss my wife. My kids...and trying to fight to see them," says Clay Waller.
Wednesday night, Jacque's sister talked to Nancy Grace, saying the triplets are still with her.
Nancy Grace asked, "Why are they not with their father?"
Cheryl Brenneke responded, "Because he murdered their mother. He's threatened their lives and it's not a safe place for them to be."
Clay Waller's attorney, Scott Reynolds, released a statement Wednesday reiterating his client's innocence:
"Clay misses Jackie [sic]; he is saddened and shocked by her disappearance. He hopes and prays for her safe return and his heart goes out to the Rawson family despite their repeated accusations against him. Clay is not responsible for his wife's disappearance and we have substantial evidence to support that claim. We will not comment on the evidence at this point as there is an ongoing police investigation. It is sufficient to state that the police do not consider Clay a 'suspect' in Jackie's [sic] disappearance and they have repeatedly said there is no evidence that a crime was even committed here."
Waller also told the newspaper his truck has been vandalized and he was recently shot in the leg with a pellet gun.
When asked why he hadn't spoken out until now, Waller said, "I can't change how people feel. I mean, there's a lot of emotions running high right now. I just don't know what to say yet. I'm not sure to be honest with you. We're all just sad. It's just sad on both sides of the fence here."
Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.
KSDK
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