Billings, MT – A Billings man has been charged with attempted deliberate homicide after an alleged attack on his wife that has left her in critical condition. Jesse Jon Strack, 44, appeared for his arraignment Tuesday via video from the Yellowstone County Jail, where a not guilty plea was entered on his behalf. Bond has been set at $500,000.
Strack was arrested on Friday following a 911 call from his residence on Wyoming Avenue, where he reported his wife, 46-year-old M.S., as unresponsive. Initially, the call was logged as a possible overdose, but as the investigation unfolded, law enforcement found that the circumstances surrounding M.S.’s injuries pointed to a much darker story.
According to court documents, Strack claimed that M.S. had struck him several times before her injuries occurred, suggesting she had fallen. He said he found her near a bathtub and attempted to revive her with water before calling emergency services. However, further examination by medical professionals revealed that M.S. had sustained injuries far more severe than those typically associated with a drug overdose.
Toxicology reports confirmed that no illegal drugs were found in her system. A detective indicated that M.S. may have been a victim of strangulation. Additionally, she suffered a broken neck, and both of her carotid arteries were reportedly severed. Her survival remains uncertain, according to medical staff.
Strack’s behavior following the incident raised additional red flags. After M.S. was transported to the hospital, Strack was involved in a vehicle crash and was also admitted for treatment. At the hospital, he allegedly exhibited erratic behavior, including grinning while claiming he had done nothing wrong.
In further questioning by police, Strack allegedly made disturbing statements about his actions. “I would like to be able to point you in the right direction,” Strack reportedly said. “Usually, I just dump her in the shower and pour cold water all over her, but this time it didn’t work in a matter of seconds, and it was off to the races and 911.”
Investigators also reviewed footage from a home security system, which showed Strack and M.S. engaging in a physical altercation shortly before the 911 call. Some of the footage had been deleted, leading to further suspicion that Strack may have tried to conceal evidence of the attack.
The case continues to unfold as authorities investigate further. Strack’s charges remain serious, with his bond set at a high amount due to the severity of the alleged crime and his apparent attempts to cover up the evidence. Meanwhile, the community remains on edge, as the details of the attack are examined in more depth.
As M.S. fights for her life, the case highlights the ongoing problem of domestic violence and the extreme lengths some individuals may go to in order to hide their abusive behavior. The legal process will likely bring more answers as it progresses, with Strack’s actions continuing to raise questions about his past and potential history of abuse.
