by Bowling Green, KY – A 31-year-old Kentucky man is accused of killing his wife, leaving her body on the kitchen floor for three days, and telling their three young children that their mother was “sleeping,” according to investigators. Authorities say the case escalated when the woman’s body was later found inside a burned vehicle following an early-morning car fire.
Incident Overview
Salko Husejnovic, 31, has been charged with murder, tampering with physical evidence, and abuse of a corpse in the death of his wife, Jasmina Aljic. The investigation began shortly before 3:30 a.m. on January 19, when the Warren County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a vehicle fire following a collision on Threlkel Ferry Road in Bowling Green.
Fire crews arrived to find the vehicle fully engulfed in flames. After extinguishing the fire, responders discovered a body inside the vehicle, authorities said.
What Investigators Found at the Scene
An autopsy later determined that Aljic was already dead before the fire was set. Investigators said she had no soot in her lungs, indicating she did not die from smoke inhalation, and the fire was allegedly intentionally started.
Police allege the vehicle was deliberately torched in an attempt to destroy evidence related to her death.
Allegations Inside the Home
According to an arrest citation obtained by Lexington Fox affiliate WDKY, investigators believe Husejnovic killed his wife three days earlier during an attack inside their home. Authorities allege Aljic’s body remained on the kitchen floor while Husejnovic and the couple’s three children continued living in the residence.
Investigators say Husejnovic allegedly told the children that “mommy was sleeping.”
Second Suspect and Alleged Cover-Up
Prosecutors allege Husejnovic later enlisted the help of Shelly Boyd, 44, who was dating his brother. Boyd is accused of witnessing the attack but failing to intervene. Authorities allege she later purchased gasoline used to set the vehicle on fire.
According to the arrest citation, Boyd and Husejnovic allegedly drove Aljic’s body to Threlkel Ferry Road, where the vehicle was set ablaze. Boyd now faces charges of tampering with physical evidence and abuse of a corpse.
Protective Order and Prior Concerns
During a preliminary hearing on Friday, a detective testified that Aljic had previously obtained a protective order against Husejnovic in Missouri, according to a courtroom report from the Bowling Green Daily News. Investigators said Aljic had been living in Missouri until after Christmas, when she moved to the Bowling Green area.
Police Search and Evidence Recovered
After the burned vehicle was discovered, detectives went to Husejnovic’s home. Boyd reportedly answered the door and claimed Husejnovic was not there. Investigators later learned he was hiding inside the residence and eventually came out on his own.
Husejnovic initially denied knowing where his wife was, telling investigators he had last seen her in November, authorities said.
During a search of the home, detectives reported finding a bag of clothing hidden inside a kitchen cabinet. Surveillance footage allegedly showed Boyd wearing the same clothing when she and Husejnovic were attempting to dispose of the vehicle. Investigators also testified they found three bloodstained pillows inside a washing machine.
Statements to Investigators
Authorities say Boyd eventually admitted she saw Husejnovic “beating” his wife and confirmed that Aljic’s body remained on the kitchen floor for three days. Boyd reportedly told detectives that Husejnovic initially planned to push the vehicle down a cliff with Aljic’s body inside, but when that plan failed, the car was set on fire instead.
In a separate interview, investigators said Husejnovic admitted to hitting his wife during an argument, claiming she stopped breathing afterward. He allegedly told detectives it was Boyd’s idea not to call 911 and to leave the body inside the home.
Ongoing Investigation and Charges
Authorities said they are still working to determine Aljic’s exact cause of death. Husejnovic remains held in the Warren County Jail on a $1 million bond. Boyd is also jailed, with bond set at nearly $50,000.
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