Missouri man accused of fatally beating 71-year-old disabled veteran and assaulting woman

WASHINGTON, Mo. (TCN) -- A 43-year-old man faces charges after allegedly beating two people, including an elderly man who died.

According to the Washington Police Department, on May 27, officers responded to Walnut Street and found a deceased man, identified by KSDK-TV as a 71-year-old disabled veteran, in the hallway of his home.

Per court documents reviewed by KSDK, the man died from being struck in the head.

A 50-year-old female victim with facial injuries approached officers shortly after and claimed she had been assaulted at the residence. She led police to identify the suspect as William Vedenhaupt.

The female victim and Vedenhaupt were reportedly in a "continuing social relationship of a romantic or intimate nature."

According to KSDK, Detective Lt. Steve Sitzes said, "We know that there was a friendship/acquaintance. We’re working on whether there was a boyfriend/girlfriend connection."

Sitzes also reportedly said, "They were well known to each other. It’s not like this guy went out to target individuals."

Police found Vedenhaupt in a storage building and took him into custody. He reportedly confessed to assaulting the two victims. Officers said a motive has been established, but they are not releasing it at this time.

As of Thursday, May 29, the female victim was released from the hospital and is recovering.

Vedenhaupt faces charges of second-degree murder and second-degree domestic assault. He remains held without bond at the Franklin County Detention Center.

According to KSDK, Sitzes said, "It’s a very tragic story, but there was a lot of good police work from the beginning. We’re a small community. Our officers on patrol recognize people, know people, know where they hang out, so a lot of good work there made a quick resolution to this."

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