Indiana man arrested after missing wife who just finished chemo is found dead in creek

LEBANON, Ind. (TCD) -- A Boone County man was taken into custody on suspicion of killing his missing wife whose body was found in a creek.

According to Indiana State Police, on March 25, investigators started looking into Elizabeth "Nikki" Wilhoite's disappearance on behalf of the Boone County Sheriff's Office due to a "potential conflict of interest." The Boone County Sheriff's Office said in their statement they called upon the State Police to take over because suspect Andrew Wilhoite's mother is an elected official as a County Councilwoman.

Nikki Wilhoite was reported missing March 25 to the Boone County Sheriff's Office. She was reportedly last seen at her residence on the night of March 24. According to the Sheriff's Office, Nikki's coworkers grew worried because she did not report to work. Deputies searched around the home and said her disappearance "evolved into a possible homicide investigation."

Indiana State Police said in their press release, "During the course of the investigation, detectives were able to determine that during the course of a domestic dispute, 39-year-old Andrew N. Wilhoite, Elizabeth’s husband, had allegedly struck her in the head with a blunt object causing her to lose consciousness."

State Police allege Andrew put his wife's body in his car and drove her to a creek where he left her body. Her body was reportedly found March 26 at approximately 3 a.m. "partially submerged in approximately three feet of water."

An autopsy is being performed to determine her cause of death.

Andrew Wilhoite was arrested for first-degree murder. According to a recent Facebook post, Nikki finished her last round of chemotherapy on March 18.

Boone County Jail records show he is being held without bond.

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