Husband and wife held in killing of suspected stalker

WENTZVILLE, Mo. -- A husband and wife have been charged in the death of a man authorities said was stalking the couple.

Richard and Kerstin Pearia, who live just outside the community of Wentzville about 40 miles west of St. Louis, filed for an order of protection against Donald Brinkmeyer, 51, of Shrewsbury, less than two weeks before Tuesday's confrontation, authorities said.

The Pearias believed they were being stalked because both Donald Brinkmeyer and Richard Pearia had a relationship with the same woman, said Detective Gerry Pollard, of the St. Charles County Sheriff's Department. Richard Pearia told authorities the woman, who has not been identified, is his cousin; they have not yet confirmed that information, the sheriff's department said.

Kerstin Pearia, 45, stopped at a gas station Tuesday night and thought she saw Brinkmeyer's car, Pollard said.

She then was headed home and reportedly saw the car again in front of her, the detective said. She called her husband by cell phone, and he suggested she try to block the car in as it was headed up their driveway and told her to call 911, Pollard said.

When authorities arrived on the scene, they found Brinkmeyer shot to death in a ditch. Authorities said Brinkmeyer, who they said had previously served time for stalking his ex-wife, did not have a weapon with him.

"Yes, we do believe he was stalking these people," Pollard said, although he said authorities do not believe that justified the Pearias' alleged actions.

Richard Pearia reportedly told authorities he and Brinkmeyer got into a physical confrontation.

"The evidence does not relate to a deadly force situation," said Pollard. "Basically, he shot an unarmed man."

Richard Pearia, 51, was charged with second-degree murder and armed criminal action. His bond was set at $1 million. Kerstin Pearia, 45, was charged with hindering prosecution. Her bond was set at $100,000.