On the evening of January 4, 2023, a tragic event unfolded in Pacific, Missouri, that claimed the life of 34-year-old Leslie N. Barstow, a White female, and her companion, 39-year-old Ronald G. Cline Jr. The incident occurred at approximately 7:30 p.m. at a residence in the 2400 block of Spring Valley Drive. Franklin County Sheriff's deputies were dispatched to the scene following reports of a shooting.
Upon their arrival, they discovered a grim scene: Cline was already deceased from gunshot wounds, while Barstow was critically injured.
Emergency medical services transported Barstow to a local hospital, but she ultimately succumbed to her injuries. Friends and family remembered the mother of two for her vibrant personality and warm smile. A witness at the scene reported hearing a vehicle speeding away shortly after the gunshots, suggesting the assailant had quickly fled. Both victims were residents of Pacific, Missouri.
The investigation into the double homicide led authorities to identify 37-year-old Timothy J. Kalter of St. Louis as the primary suspect. Investigators believe the motive for the killings was robbery. It is alleged that Kalter was in the back seat of the victims' car when he shot both of them. On January 10, a no-bond warrant was issued for Kalter, charging him with two counts of first-degree murder, first-degree robbery, and two counts of armed criminal action.
On January 15, after a police pursuit, Kalter was apprehended when he crashed his vehicle on Interstate 55 near Bates Avenue in St. Louis. Following his arrest, he was taken into custody to face the charges brought against him. The arrest brought a sense of relief to the grieving families and the Pacific community, who were mourning the sudden and violent loss of Leslie Barstow and Ronald Cline Jr.
