First-Degree Murder Charge Filed Following Fatal Incident in Howard
- Steve Jurrens
- Dec 7
- 1 min read
Northeast Radio SD News – Howard, SD - South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley has announced that a 46-year-old man has been charged with First-Degree Murder and Second-Degree Murder in connection with the death of a woman in Howard early Saturday morning.
Elias Stubbe, 46, faces charges in the death of 56-year-old Nichole Malfero, which occurred at a residence in the town. Both First-Degree Murder and Second-Degree Murder charges in South Dakota carry a mandatory sentence of life in prison upon conviction.
The incident was first reported to authorities at 2:50 a.m. on Saturday. Malfero was pronounced deceased at the scene. An autopsy is scheduled for Monday to determine the cause and manner of death.
Attorney General Jackley stated that the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) is collaborating with local authorities to process evidence collected at the scene and conduct necessary interviews.
“There is no ongoing danger to the public,” Attorney General Jackley said. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to Nichole’s family.”
Stubbe has been booked into the Davison County Jail in Mitchell and is currently being held on a $1 million cash bond. The Attorney General’s Office will handle the prosecution of the case.
Stubbe is presumed innocent under the U.S. Constitution pending the outcome of the legal proceedings.
