WEST DES MOINES – An Iowa man died in “deplorable conditions” and after a police investigation, a man and a woman were arrested on murder charges.
On August 10, 2022, at approximately 1:06 AM, the West Des Moines Police Department was dispatched to 228 1st Street on reports of a male experiencing a medical emergency. West Des Moines Police along with West Des Moines Fire & EMS arrived on scene and located Steven Schaper, 58 of West Des Moines, suffering from multiple medical issues and living in deplorable conditions. Schaper was transported by EMS to a local hospital where he would later die.
Due to Schaper’s medical aliments and the poor living conditions witnessed in the residence, West Des Moines Police immediately launched a criminal investigation into the incident. After West Des Moines Police Detectives completed a nearly six-month long investigation, evidence suggests that Schaper’s caretakers intentionally or recklessly denied him adequate medical care and living conditions, which resulted in his death.
On February 21st, at approximately 9:30am, West Des Moines Police arrested and charged Jacob Schaper, 24 and Jocelyn Grisham, 23 both of West Des Moines for Murder in the 2nd Degree. Both defendants have been transported to the Polk County Jail where they remain incarcerated on the charges.
(PHOTO: SCHAPER, JACOB JAMES ROBERTSON, jail photo)
