Police arrest missionary for Valentine's Day slaying of wife

PEORIA — What does a preacher do when a beacon of light turns shockingly dark?

From the pulpit, that can be a tough challenge. That question — one of many — came to my mind upon Wednesday’s arrest of Nathan Leuthold. He is accused of killing his wife, Denise Leuthold, 39, on Valentine’s Day.

The slaying and arrest bring an abrupt end to the couple’s 15 years of frequent missionary work in Lithuania. There, with their three children, the Leutholds started Baptist churches and other outreach projects.

The family attended LaMarsh Baptist Church in Mapleton, but their missionary work was supported by other area churches. On Wednesday, the website for Cornerstone Baptist Church in Groveland still listed the couple among its roster of missionaries.

http://www.pjstar.com/news/x1037520479/Luciano-Church-leaders-reflect-o…

http://centralillinoisproud.com/fulltext?nxd_id=310342

http://www.cinewsnow.com/news/local/Police-arrest-Nathan-Leuthold-19555…

Does anyone know more about Nathan Leuthold:

• What mission agency (if any)?
• What school graduated?

I believe he is a Hyles grad. I can’t remember the mission board.

This supporting church link lists the board as “independent”

http://fbcgrafton.org/Missionaries.html

The names and references in the obituary condolence messages left would lead me to believe that the wife’s parents, at least, attended Pillsbury.

http://www.preston-hanley.com/obits/details.cfm?pageID=8&obitID=3245

http://www.cinewsnow.com/home/Nathan-Luethold—196099821.html?m=y&smobile=y

Prosecutors allege the following:

• Nathan had a relationship with a 20 year old Lithuanian girl
• Nathan supported 90% of her living expenses in Chicago
• Nathan shared a bank account with her
• Nathan performed incriminating internet searches.

http://www.pjstar.com/news/x1522333897/Another-woman-might-have-led-to-Valentines-Day-slaying

http://centralillinoisproud.com/fulltext?nxd_id=310592

Nathan Leuthold gets 80 years in prison for murdering wife