Husband Of Missing Bucks Co. Woman Charged With Her Murder

DOYLESTOWN, PA — A Bucks County man has been charged with murder in connection with the death of his wife, who was reported missing nearly two months ago.

Stephen Capaldi, 57, of Sellersville, is charged with third-degree murder, possessing an instrument of crime, tampering with or fabricating physical evidence, obstructing the administration of law or other governmental function and abuse of a corpse, authorities announced Thursday. He is being held at the Bucks County Correctional Facility without bail.

Officials with the Bucks County District Attorney's office say he killed his wife, 55-year-old Elizabeth Capaldi, on the morning of Oct. 10 while she was sleeping in their bed.

Bucks County District Attorney Matt Weintraub, in a Thursday news conference, said he strangled her and used a pillow to smother her. He then moved his wife’s body from the master bedroom to a back bedroom and then the basement, where he dismembered her and disposed of her remains on Oct. 12 before meeting with law enforcement, Weintraub said.

The investigation began on Oct. 12, when Elizabeth Capaldi was reported missing to the Perkasie Borough Police Department by her daughter. Elizabeth Capaldi lived with her husband, who told police he last saw her in the early morning hours of Oct. 10 but never contacted police.

Elizabeth Capaldi’s purse, some clothing, personal items and $13,000 in cash were reported missing from the home, but her cellphone, iPad, and vehicle were allegedly left at the home.

At a news conference on Oct. 26, District Attorney Weintraub asked for the public’s help in locating her, and over the course of several weeks, the community held search parties and prayer vigils in hopes of locating the missing woman.

However, the investigation concluded that Stephen Capaldi killed his wife, lied to investigators on several occasions, took steps to destroy evidence and hid her body, said Weintraub. Stephen Capaldi purchased items to carry out the disposal of his wife’s body, the investigation found.

“I’ve spoken with Beth Capaldi’s family,” said Weintraub during Thursday’s news conference announcing the charges. “I explained the principles and goals I focused on in my negotiations with the defendant. First: To find Beth Capaldi alive if possible - I am so sorry that this was not possible – her family was devastated by this news. If not, then to bring her back to her family, and to bring her killer to justice.

“We continue to pursue both of these goals.”

His arrest is the culmination of an intense and emotional investigation led by detectives from the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office and the Perkasie Borough Police Department, with the assistance of several law enforcement agencies, the Bucks County Investigating Grand Jury and the community.

This case was investigated by detectives from the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office and the Perkasie Borough Police Department, with the assistance of the Bucks County Investigating Grand Jury.

Other law enforcement agencies that played a key role in the investigation included the Regional Forensics Computer Laboratory (RFCL); Delaware County Detectives; Tinicum Township Police Department; Pennsylvania State Police and their cadaver dog K-9 Jack; Bensalem Township Police
Department; the Bucks County Coroner’s Office; the Bucks County Sheriff’s Office; the Bucks County Correctional Facility; the Delaware County Medical Examiner’s Office; Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); Delaware Valley Intelligence Center (DVIC); Upper Saucon Township Police Department; Quakertown Borough Police Department; Pennsylvania State Coroner’s Association; the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUS); Delaware State Police and Keystone K-9s.

The Bucks County District Attorney’s Office also thanked the Borough of Sellersville, Home Depot Asset Protection, and the community for their assistance during the search for Elizabeth Capaldi.

This case will be prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Mary Kate Kohler.