Kevin Halladey

A Reinbeck man is considered a person of interest after the death of his girlfriend amidst a still-developing investigation.

On Dec. 16, Grundy County deputies found 41-year-old Christian Marie Jeys unresponsive at a Chestnut Street residence in Reinbeck. She was transported to Grundy County Memorial Hospital and later to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, where she died on Dec. 23.

A complete autopsy has been ordered to determine the cause of death, but results are not expected for several days. Around the time Jeys was found in her home, deputies arrested her live-in boyfriend, 40-year-old Kevin Lee Halladey, for assault on a juvenile who resided there with Jeys and Halladey.

The December incident marked the second time charges had been filed against Halladey in connection to Jeys and her family. In May of 2021, Halladey was charged with domestic abuse assault when deputies were called to the same Chestnut Street residence, and they found Jeys with a blood bruise on her lip and marks on her head and neck.

A no-contact order was immediately placed against Halladey on behalf of Jeys. Roughly a month later, however, she petitioned the court to remove the order, arguing Halladey was no longer a threat and that they were looking to mend their relationship.

In response, a District Court judge modified the order to allow for electronic communication and for joint counseling to be conducted with a licensed mental health professional. According to court records, Jeys and Halladey attended counseling over the next several weeks.

On Aug. 30, the court canceled the no-contact order based on the petition from Jeys and a recommendation from the licensed counselor the couple met with throughout the month.

Halladey is still scheduled to face trial for the May domestic incident on Jan. 26, 2022, in Grundy County District Court. He previously pled guilty to a 2015 domestic abuse assault charge in Warren County that does not appear to have any connection to the incidents in Reinbeck.

Just after midnight on Dec. 16, Grundy County deputies again responded to a domestic disturbance call at the Chestnut Street residence. There, they found a juvenile who claimed Halladey came into their bedroom and woke them up some time after midnight.

Halladey is charged with assault causing bodily injury for allegedly throwing the juvenile by the arm against a wall and causing injury to their shoulder. At the time of the incident, Halladey was not immediately taken into custody though he was present when police arrived.

According to court records, a warrant for Halladey’s arrest was issued on Dec. 17, and he was arrested on Dec. 26.

He appeared in court the following day and is currently in custody at the Grundy County Jail on a $75,000 bond. A preliminary hearing on the most recent assault case is scheduled for Jan. 3, 2022.

A donation account for the Jeys family has been opened at Lincoln Savings Bank, and an online fundraiser has also been established at GoFundMe.com. The proceeds will go toward funeral expenses and other needs for the family.