BILLINGS — A Billings man assaulted his wife with a hammer and then crashed their SUV with her inside in an attempt to cover up the crime, according to court records.
The details in the bizarre case are included in an affidavit of probable cause filed before Daniel Paul Scheihing killed himself in the Yellowstone County jail.
Scheihing, 70 years old, was arrested on January 1st after crashing a vehicle on Molt Road several miles northwest of Billings.
The Yellowstone County Sheriff's Office responded and found his wife, 72-year old Celia Scheihing, dead inside the vehicle.
After a search of the Scheihing's home, the affidavit states that Daniel subsequently admitted to hitting Celia Scheihing in the home numerous times with a hammer intending to kill her.
Daniel then told law enforcement officers that he placed her in the vehicle and drove around with her for over an hour before slamming into a power pole on Molt Road.
Celia likely died in the vehicle prior to the crash, according to the affidavit.
The affidavit also states Daniel admitted to attempting to cover up killing his wife by intentionally crashing the vehicle.
Daniel killed himself on January 3 in jail before making his first court appearance on a murder charge.
Billings police continue to investigate the case because they are still waiting on lab results and other evidence, said Lt. Brandon Wooley.
JAN 1: Homicide investigation underway after crash near Billings
JAN 3: Man accused of killing his wife found dead in Billings jail
