Homicide Suspect Dies After Standoff at Festus Hotel

Jefferson Co., Mo. (KFMO) - A homicide suspect died early Sunday morning after a prolonged standoff with law enforcement at a hotel in Festus, according to authorities.

69-year-old Billy Moman was found dead around 7 a.m. inside a room at the Holiday Inn Express on Gamel Cemetery Road. Investigators determined Moman died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Moman was the primary suspect in the killing of 46-year-old Marijon Ludwig, whose body was discovered Saturday afternoon inside a residence in the 2600 block of Winding Valley Drive in Fenton. Authorities say Ludwig had been both stabbed and shot.

Sheriff Marshak said detectives located Moman at the Festus hotel Saturday evening. Out of an abundance of caution, Sheriff’s Office personnel evacuated hotel guests and employees before beginning efforts to take him into custody.

Detectives, negotiators and SWAT officers attempted multiple approaches over several hours, but Moman refused to exit his room. SWAT officers later used a drone to observe inside the room, where Moman was found deceased.

“No gunshots were fired by deputies, and nobody else was injured,” Marshak said.

“Detectives worked diligently to quickly locate the suspect. From the first officers on the homicide scene to the crime scene unit and SWAT, success came from a team effort,” he said. “The crime scene was violent, and considering the suspect’s history, this incident ended the best way possible.”

The investigation into Ludwig’s death remains ongoing.