A man and his girlfriend have been charged with murdering a truck driver in September 2008 at a rest area on I-29 in Platte County. John M. Hughes, 33, currently incarcerated in Ohio, and Dana K. Tutor, 34, currently incarcerated in Mississippi, are accused of luring Valentin G. Kirilchuk into a restroom where he was robbed and killed. Platte County Prosecutor Eric Zahnd said his office filed charges on October 8 following a lengthy investigation by the Missouri State Highway Patrol. �This was initially a difficult case, but the Highway Patrol never gave up on the investigation. Because of their persistence, we have now charged two people we allege are responsible for this robbery and murder.� According to court documents, Kirilchuk was parked at the rest area on I-29 north at mile marker 27 near Dearborn on September 8, 2008. At about 7:00 p.m., Tutor allegedly went to the cab of Kirilchuk�s truck and told him she needed one hundred dollars. Kirilchuk followed Tutor into the rest area�s main building. As he entered the building, Hughes allegedly forced Kirilchuk into the men�s restroom at gunpoint. Hughes then allegedly tried to rob Kirilchuk. During the robbery, Hughes shot Kirilchuk in the head one time at close range with a 9mm handgun, killing Kirilchuk. Hughes allegedly took a wallet containing two hundred dollars and a cellular telephone from Kirilchuk. Hughes, Tutor, and three passengers then allegedly left the area in a white 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer. Hughes was later arrested in York County, Nebraska for driving while intoxicated. During the arrest, authorities found a 9mm handgun. DNA found on the handgun is consistent with Kirilchuk�s DNA. Hughes has been charged with First Degree Murder, which carries a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. He has also been charged with First Degree Robbery and Armed Criminal Action. Prosecutors could also seek the death penalty against Hughes. Zahnd said he would review the case to determine whether the state would seek the death penalty. Tutor has been charged with Second Degree Robbery and Second Degree Murder. If convicted of both charges, she faces up to life in prison. The case is being investigated by the Missouri State Highway Patrol. It is being personally prosecuted by Zahnd, First Assistant Prosecutor Mark Gibson, and Assistant Prosecutor Myles Perry.
