November 5, 2026
JEFFERSON COUNTY, Mo. — A Festus man has been charged with first-degree murder and armed criminal action in the fatal shooting of his wife at a home south of Festus on Thursday morning, November 5, according to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.
Todd M. Capstick, 55, is accused of killing Dawn M. Capstick, 56, at a residence in the 3100 block of U.S. Highway 61. Sheriff Dave Marshak announced the charges Thursday. Capstick was being held without bond at the Jefferson County Jail.
Family member’s video call prompted welfare check
According to a probable cause statement signed by Detective A. Ball, a female family member called 911 after a troubling video call with Dawn Capstick. The caller told investigators that something had been said about shooting, that the phone appeared to be on the floor and that Todd Capstick briefly appeared on screen before the call was muted and paused.
A deputy was dispatched around 9 a.m. and entered the residence after receiving information about a possible shooting. At approximately 9:15 a.m., the deputy found Dawn Capstick in a bedroom with multiple apparent gunshot wounds, authorities said. The deputy began lifesaving measures while awaiting emergency medical personnel. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators describe security footage and firearm evidence
The probable cause statement says security cameras at the residence showed Dawn Capstick entering through a garage, followed by her husband. Approximately 22 minutes later, investigators said, footage showed Todd Capstick leaving through the garage while holding a black-and-silver handgun. He allegedly placed the gun in his pants pocket and departed in a black Ford truck.
Investigators reported finding multiple .45-caliber shell casings in the bedroom. They also said a black-and-silver .45-caliber handgun was recovered from inside the truck after Capstick’s arrest. Those details are allegations contained in the probable cause statement and have not been established at trial.
Suspect arrested after interstate vehicle alert
At 9:26 a.m., a sheriff’s detective bureau analyst using the Flock Safety camera network identified the suspect vehicle traveling south on Interstate 55 in Ste. Genevieve County, according to the sheriff’s news release. Investigators alerted other agencies, including the U.S. Marshals Service in the Cape Girardeau area.
U.S. marshals located the truck, stopped it and took Capstick into custody at approximately 10:01 a.m. He was initially held at the Cape Girardeau County Sheriff’s Office before being transported to the Jefferson County Jail.
Authorities have not publicly identified a motive. The sheriff’s office said the investigation remains ongoing.
The charges against Capstick are allegations. He is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Source documents
Reporting is based on the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office news release dated November 5, 2026, and Detective A. Ball’s probable cause statement, report No. 26-41947. Both documents and the original booking photograph were provided to VOTP News STL by public safety information coordinator Grant Bissell.
