Prosecutors: Accused Wife Killer Had 20-Year-Old Girlfriend

PEORIA - A Baptist missionary, accused of murdering his wife in Peoria on Valentine's Day, is formally charged as shocking new details emerge about the case.

Nathan Leuthold, 37, is facing one count of murder for the shooting death of his wife, Denise, who was found dead in her parents' home on Mossville Rd.

Thursday, prosecutors said they believe Leuthold was carrying on an affair with a 20-year-old Lithuanian woman. The Leutholds were apparently sponsoring the woman to attend Chicago's Moody Bible College. The woman was kicked out of the college, accused of engaging in inappropriate behavior with Nathan Leuthold. Authorities believe the woman made visits to him in Peoria during which the pair would visit a spa.

Prosecutors say a note - believed to be from Denise Leuthold - was found the day after her murder. It said she believed her husband wanted her dead and that he was embarrassing her by carrying on an affair.
 
A judge set Leuthold's bond at $2 million, but prosecutors sought a $4 million bond. Leuthold also had to give up his passport.