Clay Waller: Community on 'witch hunt'

Clay Waller thinks police have tunnel vision in their investigation of his estranged wife's June 1 disappearance.

As he sat in the shade on the Common Pleas Courthouse lawn Tuesday, he expected to see at least one, but probably more, unmarked police cars.

"It's crazy. I got a helicopter following me every day, police are following me," Clay Waller said Tuesday in an interview with the Southeast Missourian. "I'll tell you what is not happening is that the cops are not searching for my wife."

Clay Waller, named by detectives as a person of interest in Jacque Sue Waller's disappearance, said police are spending too much time focusing on his whereabouts, and not enough energy on locating Jacque Sue Waller, his wife of more than 15 years. He'd do more searching himself, Waller said, but he said investigators and the community are on a "witch hunt."

"I have not done anything," he said. "I miss my wife. I hope for a safe return."

His truck has been vandalized numerous times and he said he was recently shot in the left leg with a pellet gun. The wound, which Clay Waller displayed to a reporter, appeared fresh and untreated Tuesday. He went to the emergency room, he said, but wasn't ready for surgery.

"I'm not ready to cut it open. I'm not even making a police report," he said. "I don't want any more drama."

Waller added he didn't know who shot at him. He said it happened in Cape Girardeau but wouldn't disclose the location.

Clay Waller was the last known person to see Jacque Waller in Jackson on June 1. Family of the mother of 5-year-old triplets said she was in Jackson filing divorce papers and picking up the couple's son from Clay Waller's temporary home on Woodland Drive. She planned to return to Ste. Genevieve, Mo., that night, but family and then Clay Waller, reported her missing around 11 p.m.

Clay Waller said Tuesday she was only in town June 1 to discuss bankruptcy filings and not to pick up their son. He also said that while they were separated, it doesn't mean there was turmoil between the couple. They were not estranged, he said.

"That is the facts and the police know that," he said. "You all haven't been told the truth yet."

Ruby Rawson, Jacque Waller's mother, said late Tuesday the couple were estranged and that her daughter had already rented an apartment in Ste. Genevieve. On the day of her disappearance she had painted rooms for the triplets, Ruby Rawson said.

Jacque Waller (Submitted photo)

In addition to being followed regularly by police, Clay Waller claimed authorities also threatened him and his family. He said they've got the facts of the case all wrong.

"There is no big conspiracy. My wife's missing, we don't know where she's at and cops are less than nice," Clay Waller said. "They've threatened to arrest people if they talk to me. It's terrible. They've punched me in the stomach and told me to get used to it."

Jackson Police Department chief James Humphreys called the allegation "ludicrous" and said police have spent 48 days looking for Jacque Waller.

"We've spent the time looking for his wife. He drove by flipping us off when we were out searching for her," Humphreys said. "As far as I'm concerned, he's the one playing games."

Clay Waller denied flipping off searchers.

"I did not flip people off, absolutely not. I was there in support," he said.

Humphreys added that Clay Waller will be a person of interest until they can eliminate him. Detectives welcome any information Clay Waller can provide them on Jacque Waller's whereabouts. He was interviewed by police once following Jacque Waller's disappearance and until recently was largely uncooperative with detectives. Lt. David James said last week they speak with Clay Waller "occasionally for various reasons."

Clay Waller said Tuesday he suspects his wife was abducted off Interstate 55, where her blue Honda Pilot was found abandoned hours after she was reported missing. Humphreys said that from the beginning, investigators never thought it was an abduction case.

Since his wife went missing, Clay Waller said he has been frustrated and sad. The court has not granted him visitation to see his children and continues to delay a custody hearing, he said. Clay Waller said he's confident he'll get visitation rights after an Oct. 19 hearing.

"Why the attorney keeps postponing my kids' stuff, I don't know. There is no evidence a crime has been committed," Waller said. "If they can prove the allegations, then prove it."

Before Tuesday, Clay Waller had declined interviews with the Southeast Missourian and other media outlets. His lawyer released a statement last week when Jacque Waller's case first hit the national media circuit and her family appeared on "Good Morning America." Since their first appearance, the family has been vocal about Clay Waller being responsible for their loved one's disappearance.

Waller said Tuesday he has declined interviews because he didn't know what he would say.

"What can I possibly say to change peoples' minds?" he said.

Humphreys said authorities, including a dive team with the Missouri State Highway Patrol, searched a lake in Cape Girardeau County on Tuesday. They continue to search routes that could be taken off the Interstate near where her vehicle was found as well as other bodies of water in the county.

Volunteers have organized at least a dozen searches for Jacque Waller since June 26.

"I think it's awesome. I think it's great. I wish people would be more supportive of me helping," Clay Waller said.

ehevern@semissourian.com

388-3635

Pertinent address:

Lorimier Street, Cape Girardeau, MO

Woodland Drive and North Neal Street, Jackson, MO