MOUNT PLEASANT, Iowa (AP) — A trial has begun in southeast Iowa for a Colorado man who’s been charged in the death of his estranged wife more than 17 years after her disappearance. The Hawk Eye reports that the trial for 58-year-old Michael Syperda began Tuesday. He was indicted in December on a charge of first-degree murder in the death of Elizabeth Syperda. Elizabeth Syperda disappeared in July 2000 in Mount Pleasant. The 22-year-old’s body was never found. Court records say the couple had been estranged for about a month prior to her disappearance because she was leaving him for a woman.

Prosecutors say Michael Syperda repeatedly threatened and stalked his wife. Public defender Kym Auge says there’s no evidence that ties Michael Syperda to his wife’s death. Michael Syperda is in Henry County jail on a $1 million bond.