UPDATE: Columbia man indicted for murdering his father and burning body in court on Monday

By Brian Hauswirth

A Boone County grand jury has indicted a Columbia man for the gruesome January murder of his father at a home near Vawter School and Creekfront Way in south Columbia. The grand jury indicted 31-year-old Steven Martin Strumpf on Friday for first degree murder, armed criminal action and two other charges for the January 19^th killing of his father. Friday’s indictment replaces earlier charges in the case.

The Columbia Police Department’s heavily-redacted three-page probable cause statement from earlier says Strumpf allegedly admits stabbing his father several times in the neck, before pouring gas on his father’s body and setting it on fire in the garage.

resized 1000000749 (003) — 939 the Eagle’s Jeff Ausmus reports a new roof was built at the home near south Columbia’s Vawter School and Creekfront Way (April 30, 2024 file photo from 939 the Eagle’s Jeff Ausmus)

The blaze caused extensive damage to the home near Vawter School and Creekfront Way, a highly-visible area that many residents drive by daily. Since the murder, a new roof has been built on the home and there have been numerous other improvements.

The court has ordered Strumpf to remain jailed without bond until trial. He’s set to be arraigned Monday afternoon at 1:30 before Boone County Circuit Judge Jeff Harris.