Local News

Man Charged with Murder of Edwardsville Couple

Wed, 20 Mar 2019 08:19:03 CDT

The Madison County State's Attorney has charged a man accused of killing an Edwardsville couple who were found dead in their home Monday morning.

Zachary Capers, 23, was charged with four counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of Michael and Lois Ladd. Major Case Squad Commander Jeff Connor announced the charges during a press conference Tuesday evening.

Capers was taken into custody Sunday morning on an outstanding warrant for an unrelated incident. Police said he was acting suspiciously prior to his arrest.

Michael and Lois Ladd were stabbed to death in their home on North Kansas Street in Edwardsville over the weekend. The exact time the crime was committed has not been released since the suspect was in custody a day before the victims were found.

Police were notified of the crime Monday morning after one of Lois's employees did a wellness check. Lois was a chiropractor in Edwardsville and had not shown up for work that morning. She was 68 and her husband Michael, a local contractor, was 79.

Investigators have been unable to find a connection thus far between the suspect and the victims. The Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis is continuing to investigate the incident. Capers is currently being held at the Madison County Jail without bond.