Note: we are republishing this story which originally made the news in September 2020.
Judson Keith Hoover, 50, has pleaded guilty to the murder of his wife, 38-year-old Rebecca Ruth Hoover, just hours after being formally charged.
Rebecca was last seen on August 2nd, and shockingly, Judson filed for divorce the very next day—though authorities believe Rebecca was already deceased at that time.
The harrowing case came to light when the couple’s eight-year-old son bravely confided in his school counselor that he had witnessed his father take his mother’s life.
In a move to spare the young boy from the trauma of testifying in court, Judson chose to enter a guilty plea.
New Albany Police Chief Told Bailey revealed the investigation began after Rebecca’s mother reported her missing on August 4. When police searched the family’s home on St. Joseph Road, they found no sign of Rebecca.
Police Chief Bailey explained, “By August 27, our criminal investigators were alerted that Ms. Hoover’s disappearance might be the result of a criminal act. From that moment, our team worked tirelessly, dedicating countless hours to uncovering the truth behind this tragic case.”
A forensic interview was conducted with a family member, and search warrants were executed at the couple’s home. That same day, Rebecca’s body was recovered, and Judson Hoover was taken into custody on suspicion of murder.
Charges were formally filed, and Judson pleaded guilty on the very same day.
The probable cause affidavit revealed chilling details: “The child disclosed witnessing his father stomp on his mother’s head approximately 20 times, wearing black boots, while she lay near a black refrigerator in the basement. The child also saw Judson punch Rebecca in the stomach with a set of keys in his hand, though she remained unresponsive. Blood was observed coming from Rebecca’s head and left ear.”
On August 27, detectives approached Judson when he arrived to pick up the children from school. He cooperated with authorities and consented to searches of the family home and vehicles. Investigators found blood spatter at the bottom of the basement stairs, corroborating the boy’s account.
During his plea, Judson admitted to strangling Rebecca and initially leaving her in the basement. However, the medical examiner ruled the cause of death as blunt force trauma to the head and torso—consistent with the son’s testimony.
Authorities also noted that Rebecca’s body had been mutilated. Judson claimed he had no memory of this part of the crime.
