MCS Report #423
Classification: Homicide
Requesting Agency: Festus Police Department
Date of Activation: 06/29/2008
Commander and Department: Capt. Scott Will, Maryland Heights PD
Deputy Report Officer and Department: Det. Brad Perry, Des Peres PD
Victims: Thomas R. Estes, Sr and Jill S. Estes
Suspect: Nicholas T. Sheley
The Festus Police Department requested the assistance of the Major Case Squad in investigating the deaths of Thomas and Jill Estes. At 12:01am, police officers responded to the Comfort Inn (1303 Veterans Blvd) for a report of a possibly injured dog. There they located Thomas and Jill Estes' dog running around the parking lot covered in blood. The dog was unharmed, and it was determined the blood on the dog was not from the dog. Police were able to follow the dog's blood trail where they located the bodies of Thomas and Jill Estes (both age 54), from Sherwood, Arkansas, deceased behind a gas station.
Nicholas Sheley (age 28) had been the subject of a multi-state manhunt by the police and FBI after being suspected of killing numerous people in Illinois and Missouri, including Thomas and Jill Estes. Due to publicity from news reports, Sheley was recognized in Granite City, Illinois. Police were notified and he was arrested inside a bar.
As a result of this investigation, Nicholas Sheley was charged with Murder 1st Degree (2 counts) and Armed Criminal Action (2 counts). He was arrested on a no-bond warrant.
