Police: Wisconsin man blew up home to conceal wife's killing

MADISON, Wis. - Police have arrested a Wisconsin man suspected of killing his wife and blowing up their home to try to cover up the crime.

Authorities arrested 59-year-old Steven Pirus of Madison on Saturday night. He is jailed on suspicion of first-degree intentional homicide, arson and recklessly endangering safety.

Pirus is accused of fatally shooting 50-year-old Lee Anne Pirus. Investigators believe she could have been killed months ago.

Police spokesman Joel DeSpain expects Pirus to be charged Monday.

The house exploded and caught fire Wednesday. Her body was found Friday morning in the wreckage of the house. The Dane County medical examiner's office says she died from "homicidal firearm trauma."

Authorities allege Steven Pirus manipulated his home's natural gas system to cause the explosion. Police say the blast also endangered his neighbors and killed five pets.

CBS affiliate WISC reports that Madison police Chief Mike Koval said he thinks it is possible that Pirus will try to explain his alleged actions by saying that his wife asked him to kill her because she couldn't commit suicide on her own. But Koval said that "we're going to show what we believe is a cold, calculated killer."

According to the station, Koval said they will look at financial records, talk to family members and friends, and see if there were marital issues or mental health issues.