US man pleads not guilty to murdering missing Chinese wife Mengqi Ji Elledge

Prosecutors say Joseph Elledge strangled or suffocated spouse to avoid costly divorce and prevent her from fleeing to China with their daughter

Law enforcement officials have repeatedly searched area in Lamine River where police believe her body was dumped

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Mengqi Ji Elledge was last seen at her residence in Missouri on October 8, 2019. Photo: Columbia Police Department

Published: 7:41am, 27 May 2020Updated: 7:41am, 27 May 2020

A Missouri man pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder on Tuesday in the presumed death of his Chinese wife, who has not been seen since last year.

Joseph Elledge was charged in February with murder in the death of Mengqi Ji Elledge, 28, of Columbia, although her body has not been found.

During a court appearance via video, Elledge also waived his formal arraignment. His lawyer sought a continuance in the case and a status update hearing was set for June 26, KRCG-TV reported.

Elledge also pleaded not guilty in March to domestic assault and child abuse charges related to the couple’s young daughter.

Joseph Elledge pleaded not guilty in March to domestic assault and child abuse charges. Photo: Boone County Sheriff's Department via AP

Prosecutors allege Elledge strangled or suffocated his wife because he wanted to avoid a costly divorce and to prevent her from fleeing to China with their daughter.