Missouri resident Charles Buss, 81, was ordered detained Friday by Cook County Judge Linzey Jones after being charged with murder in the April shooting death of his ex-wife, Maryanne Buss-Kincaid, 76, in her Oak Lawn home.
Assistant State’s Attorney Ebony Shanklin said Buss-Kincaid, who had dementia and was unable to walk unassisted, required around-the-clock care from a live-in caretaker, with both her daughter and Buss supporting her financially.
“The defendant had expressed concern recently regarding the cost of the victim’s care,” Shanklin said.
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Shanklin said Buss visited Buss-Kincaid during the days leading up to her death, and said they had an argument Friday April 3 where Buss allegedly said he would “clean (his) hands of everything” and made a hand-washing motion.
Shanklin said the next day Buss told the caretaker to leave the home and not come back until Monday, despite Buss-Kincaid needing constant medical care. Later that same day, he drove back to Missouri, Shanklin said.
The caretaker returned to the home on the 9400 South block of 53rd Court April 5, and found Buss-Kincaid slumped and unresponsive in a chair at the kitchen table, Shanklin said. The Cook County medical examiner’s office said she died of multiple gunshot wounds to the head.
“This victim was an elderly woman, suffering from medical issues which included dementia,” Shanklin said. “The absence of prior criminal history does not negate the significance of this crime, but rather magnifies it.”
Jones approved an arrest warrant June 16 for Buss. He was arrested July 16 by the United States Marshals Service in Stone County, Missouri, and extradited to Illinois, police said.
The Cook County state’s attorney’s office approved a charge of first-degree murder against Buss Thursday, police said.
Defense attorney Matthew Chivari emphasized Buss’ good character and lack of previous criminal history while arguing for his release.
Buss “lived a life demonstrating a remarkable positive impact on his country and his community,” Chivari said.
Buss grew up in Oak Lawn, later enlisting in the Army, Chivari said. After being honorably discharged, he was a firefighter with the Oak Lawn Fire Department for 20 years, Chivari said.
Buss and Buss-Kincaid were married for nearly two decades, divorcing in 1982 but remaining amicable, Chivari said. After Buss-Kincaid’s second husband passed away, Buss would help her around the house in addition to contributing to her care, Chivari said.
“He continued to volunteer for that to ease the burden on his daughter,” Chivari said. “He’s doing everything he can to help out. That’s what he’s done for his entire life.”
Jones agreed that until this point, Buss had lived “an exemplary life” and had no history of violence.
Chivari suggested the caretaker who discovered the body had the same opportunity to commit the crime as his client did, but Jones dismissed that argument.
“Pointing to someone else, which is a common practice, makes no sense here,” Jones said. “The notion that there are other possible persons with motive, the court finds those arguments completely unsupported.”
However, Buss did have motive and opportunity, Jones said.
“She was totally vulnerable here, and by all accounts he’s the only one in the house — by all accounts — during the time in question,” Jones said. “There is no way, in this court’s assessment of the alleged facts in this case, that he would have left that house without knowing the condition of his wife.”
Buss is scheduled back at the Cook County courthouse in Bridgeview on Aug. 14.
According to Buss-Kincaid’s obituary, she worked for decades as a mortuary beautician, and was remembered for the care and attention she took “to ensure loved ones looked their best.”
“Maryanne was known to many for her larger-than-life personality,” her obituary said. “She was always the life of the party, a fashionista, a wine connoisseur, and took great pride in her career as a beautician. She had a heart of gold and would lend a helping hand to anyone in need.”
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