According to a statement from sheriff officials, it was then that the case evolved into a homicide investigation, and officials contacted Indiana State Police to lead it.
Deputies reached out to the state agency because Andrew Wilhoite’s mother, Marcia Wilhoite, has served as a county council member for nearly 17 years.
“To avoid any conflict of interest, it was decided to contact the Indiana State Police and ask them to lead the investigation and we would assist them,” sheriff officials said in a statement.
State police officials allege Andrew Wilhoite got into an argument with his wife and, at one point, hit her in the head with a blunt object, making her lose consciousness.
“He then placed her into a vehicle and drove her to a nearby creek where he dumped her body,” police said in a statement.
Her body was found the following day, only partially submerged in about 3 feet of water.
Wilhoite was taken into custody on March 26 and has remained in custody since.
According to state records, Wilhoite had entered his name to serve on the Clinton Township on Jan. 26.
Despite his arrest, Wilhoite is still eligible to win a seat on the township board in November.
According to state election requirements, a candidate would still be eligible for office unless they were to enter a plea of guilty for, or be convicted of, a felony.
Candidates for the upcoming election have until July 15 to withdraw their names from the ballot. The only exception for removing their name past that deadline, according to state requirements, would be disqualification by moving out of the district, death, or conviction of a felony.
Wilhoite is scheduled for trial in August.
Source: https://www.buzzfeed.com/salvadorhernandez/alleged-killer-wins-primary-election
