Missouri man chokes his wife while directing kids to pour hot water on her. Then he plays ‘KPOP demon hunters’ to cancel her screams
The music hid something darker
Children are supposed to feel safe with their parents. But seven children in Missouri allegedly spent years living in fear of their own father. One of them finally managed to call for help.
The children reportedly faced years of abuse. Other families have been held captive by people they trusted, but what happened inside this family’s hotel room was even more disturbing. Their father was accused of something far worse.
According to Law&Crime, 44-year-old Jonathan Houston allegedly strangled his wife while ordering their children to pour hot water on her. He also reportedly told them to play music from K-pop Demon Hunters to drown out her screams. Houston now faces first-degree murder and kidnapping charges.
One child finally found a way to ask for help
On Sunday, October 4, a child called 911 and whispered that they needed help. The caller reportedly told dispatchers that their father had “captured” them and their siblings and had been beating them for five years.
Deputies traced the call to the Baymont Inn and Suites in Kingdom City, Missouri, where Houston was staying with his seven children. The cellphone used to contact emergency services reportedly belonged to him.
When officers arrived, Houston spoke with investigators. Meanwhile, one of his daughters made a hand signal behind his back to get a deputy’s attention. The officer took her into another room, where she disclosed that her father had killed her mother in late 2025.
The children were subsequently interviewed about what had happened. One daughter reportedly recalled Houston announcing his plan to kill their mother the night before her death.
Another daughter described witnessing the alleged killing. She told investigators that Houston climbed on top of his wife and strangled her with his hands around her neck. While doing so, he allegedly ordered the girl to pour hot water on her mother’s legs.
The daughter estimated that the strangulation lasted approximately five minutes. She recalled seeing her mother’s arm stop moving.
Investigators say Houston later admitted that his children’s accounts were true. He allegedly described placing his three youngest children in the bathroom before getting on top of his wife on the bed.
According to the charging documents, his wife initially wrapped her arms around him as though they were hugging. Houston then allegedly placed his hands around her neck and continued strangling her until her body went limp.
He also reportedly instructed one child to cover her mouth while another poured hot water on her legs. “Houston stated he told the children in the room to turn on music (KPop demon hunter song) and play it loud so no one could hear [his wife] screaming,” the probable cause statement reads.
Authorities allege that Houston subsequently curled his wife’s body into a fetal position, secured it with exercise bands, and placed it inside a large trash bag. He reportedly used a dolly to transport her body to a hotel dumpster.
Houston also allegedly admitted preventing his wife from leaving the room on multiple occasions. Investigators believe he killed his wife of 17 years because he feared losing his children.
The case ultimately came to light because one child managed to contact authorities. Children have been forced to call 911 after violence against their mothers before. In this case, the caller’s decision also led investigators to allegations of years of abuse.
The probable cause statement alleges that Houston showed no remorse when describing his wife’s death. Authorities also revealed that he had worked as a probation and parole officer and a state corrections officer.
Houston remains in the Callaway County Jail without bond. The sheriff’s office says he is also under investigation for alleged sexual assault and assault involving other victims.
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