A jealous Missouri woman will spend the next 35 years in prison after shooting her boyfriend in the head as he slept because she found text messages to other women on his phone.
At a Glance
- Madison Nicole Rueckert, 21, shot and killed her boyfriend Jonathan Miller on New Year’s Eve 2022 while he slept
- Rueckert murdered Miller after finding messages from him to other women on his phone
- After hiding overnight in the woods, she turned herself in to authorities the next day
- She pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and armed criminal action, receiving a combined 35-year sentence
- Miller’s mother insists her son had not actually cheated on Rueckert
Fatal New Year’s Eve Shooting
Madison Nicole Rueckert, 21, was sentenced to 35 years behind bars for the murder of her boyfriend Jonathan Miller in Missouri. The fatal shooting occurred on December 31, 2022, after Rueckert discovered text messages between Miller and other women. According to court documents, Rueckert became enraged by what she found on Miller’s phone and shot him in the head while he was asleep at their residence, execution-style.
After committing the murder, Rueckert fled the scene and hid in nearby woods overnight, apparently contemplating her next move. The following day, she surrendered to local authorities. When police searched Rueckert’s vehicle, they discovered a handgun that matched the murder weapon used to kill Miller. This evidence provided investigators with a clear link between Rueckert and the crime.
Legal Proceedings and Sentencing
Rueckert was initially charged with first-degree murder and armed criminal action. However, she later accepted a plea deal, pleading guilty to second-degree murder and armed criminal action. The court sentenced her to 25 years for the murder charge and an additional 10 years for the armed criminal action charge, with the sentences to be served consecutively. This resulted in a total imprisonment of 35 years.
“When we got to John’s house, the police department was already there,” Kopp told the station. “Madison [Rueckert’s] mom was already there. Sergeant Neil had just pulled up. He wanted to talk to me. So I got in the car with [Sgt.] Neil, and he goes, I’m sorry to have to tell you this, but your son was the victim of a homicide.”
The case has drawn significant attention due to the nature of the crime and the seemingly minor provocation that led to such a violent act. Law enforcement officials have emphasized the importance of handling relationship disputes through communication or separation rather than violence. The court’s substantial sentence reflects the severity with which the justice system views crimes of passion.
Family’s Reaction and Victim Remembrance
Miller’s mother, Ann Kopp, has spoken out about the tragedy, expressing disbelief over the motive for her son’s murder. She firmly stated that the allegations of infidelity that apparently drove Rueckert to commit the crime were unfounded. According to Kopp, her son had not actually cheated on Rueckert, making the deadly overreaction all the more senseless.
“I couldn’t believe it [was] because she found messages from him to other women,” she said. “He hadn’t even cheated on her.”
What makes this case particularly tragic is that, according to Kopp, the couple seemed to have a good relationship. Despite having only been together since May 2022, Miller was happy with Rueckert. “She was a great kid. We liked her. I mean, our son was really happy with her,” Kopp stated. Miller was remembered by his family as a devoted father to his son Jeremiah who enjoyed family gatherings, barbecuing, and watching the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
