An 81-year-old Missouri man has been charged with murder after authorities say he shot his ex-wife, who had dementia and required daily medical care, following an argument over finances.
Charles Buss was arrested by the U.S. Marshals Service in Stone County, Missouri, on July 16 before being extradited to Illinois, where the killing took place.
After reviewing evidence gathered by Oak Lawn police detectives, the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office charged Buss with first-degree murder on Thursday, July 30.
He is accused of fatally shooting his 71-year-old ex-wife, Maryanne Buss-Kincaid, after the two argued about the cost of her care.
Police were first called to Buss-Kincaid’s home in Oak Lawn, Illinois, at approximately 1:10 p.m. on April 5 after her caregiver found her unresponsive.
Officers pronounced her dead at the scene.
The Cook County Medical Examiner determined that Buss-Kincaid had been shot twice in the back of the head and ruled her death a homicide.
Investigators later learned that Buss had been in Oak Lawn around the time of the killing before returning to Missouri, where he lived.
Police identified him as a suspect and obtained a warrant for his arrest on June 16.
During a court hearing on Friday, July 31, Assistant State’s Attorney Ebony Shanklin said Buss-Kincaid had dementia and required extensive medical care and assistance with daily activities.
Buss and the former couple’s daughter had reportedly been helping pay for her care.
“The defendant had expressed concern recently regarding the cost of the victim’s care,” Shanklin told the court.
Buss-Kincaid’s caregiver told investigators that Buss arrived at the home several days before the shooting and argued with his ex-wife over money.
During the confrontation, Buss allegedly said he would “clean my hands of everything” while making a hand-washing gesture.
The caregiver said Buss later asked them to change their work schedule and claimed that he would begin paying their wages instead of Buss-Kincaid’s daughter.
Buss allegedly insisted that the caregiver stay away from the home for two days.
When the caregiver returned, Buss-Kincaid was found unresponsive.
A judge ordered Buss to remain in custody following his first court appearance.
His attorney, Matthew Chivari, argued that Buss had no criminal history, had served in the Army and previously worked as a firefighter. Chivari also suggested that the caregiver could have been responsible, but the judge reportedly rejected that theory.
Another member of Buss’ legal team, Mike Leonard, said there was little evidence connecting his client to the killing.
“He’s an 81-year-old guy, and he was not married to the victim at the time,” Leonard said, noting that the couple divorced in the early 1980s.
Leonard also said Buss worked for 20 years as a firefighter after previously working as a union carpenter.
Buss-Kincaid was remembered in her obituary as a longtime business owner who spent decades working as a mortuary beautician at funeral homes across Chicago’s South Side.
She is survived by her daughter, sister and several nieces.
Buss is scheduled to return to court on August 14. The charges against him remain allegations, and he has not been convicted.
