Minister Faces Murder Charge In Wife’s Death

A minister who took out a $100,000 life insurance policy on his wife was charged with fatally beating her with a piece of firewood.

The Rev. Mike Flippo was charged with murder Friday in the death of his wife, Cheryl Flippo. Her body was found Tuesday in a secluded cabin the couple had rented at Babcock State Park, about 50 miles southeast of Charleston.

Flippo took out the policy last month and bought a policy in the same amount for himself, Detective Steve Kessler testified during a bond hearing Saturday. Bond for Flippo was set at $200,000.

Flippo, 48, contended he and his wife were being stalked and that he was beaten unconscious and his wife, 47, killed by a burly, masked man who had entered their cabin. Flippo said that when he came to, the man was cutting his right leg with a knife, then knocked him out again.

Police said there was no sign of a break-in at the cabin, and they have recovered a piece of firewood they believe Flippo used to kill his wife.

Funeral services for Cheryl Flippo were held Saturday at the Landmark Church of God in Nitro. Flippo had preached at the church since 1990.