Stepfather charged in death of Missouri woman

GORDONVILLE, Mo. – The stepfather of a southeast Missouri woman found shot to death last week is now charged with second-degree murder.

The Southeast Missourian reports that 54-year-old Ricky L. Schweain is accused of killing 27-year-old Melissa Luttrell.

Cape Girardeau County deputies were called to a home near Gordonville on March 26. Luttrell was found fatally shot. Schweain was also at the home with bullet wounds to the chest. Authorities say he tried to kill himself after shooting Luttrell.

Police say Schweain claimed Luttrell had threatened to have her friends beat him up, prompting an argument.

Police say Schweain admitted pointing a gun at Luttrell, but he told them it went off when she grabbed for it.

Schweain remains hospitalized. Bond was set at $750,000.

This story was originally published April 2, 2015 at 8:50 AM with the headline "Stepfather charged in death of Missouri woman."