A California man wanted for allegedly killing his wife was apprehended following a traffic stop in Jefferson County.
Zheer Malassab, 45, was detained on December 11 after Pennsylvania State Police informed them that a man, later determined to be Malassab, was in the region and had allegedly been involved in a homicide in California. Troopers were on the scene of a tractor-trailer crash on Interstate 80 when Malassab allegedly passed them in a white Honda Pilot.
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Troopers then followed, caught up with, and attempted to conduct a traffic stop on Malassab. According to the criminal complaint, Malassab continued eastward on I-80, leading troopers into Pine Creek Township before ultimately stopping his vehicle.
Malassab was arrested, and the PSP confirmed that he had an active felony murder warrant from the Vallejo Police Department in California for allegedly killing his wife.
On December 9, the Vallejo Police Department was notified regarding a missing person. The caller informed officers that her companion did not show up for work, raising concerns about the victim’s well-being. She also informed authorities that the missing individual, Malassab’s wife, had gone to a mutual friend’s house after he allegedly threatened to murder her.
Officers conducted a welfare check but received no response at the door, noting that during the canvassing of the area, no neighbors reported any disruptions from the property. Investigators also attempted to reach the victim and Malassab via phone but received no answer.
Police subsequently issued a Be On the Lookout (BOLO) warning for Malassab’s wife and forwarded her information to the California Department of Justice’s Missing and Unidentified Persons Section.
A day later, on December 10, a maintenance worker from the apartment complex entered the house and discovered her unconscious. When officers got on the scene, they discovered the victim had received at least one gunshot wound. She was pronounced dead on the scene.
Investigators identified Malassab as the homicide suspect and issued him an arrest warrant. While searching for the victim’s vehicle, officers realized it had traveled to Pennsylvania, so they contacted PSP and issued a BOLO.
After Pennsylvania State Police apprehended him, Malassab allegedly confessed to shooting his wife.
He is presently being jailed in Jefferson County Prison without bail while awaiting extradition to California. Malassab is charged with one felony count of arrest prior to requisition. When Malassab is extradited to California, he will face murder charges, according to the Vallejo Police Department.
