“He Had That Look in His Eye”: Domestic Disturbance Escalates to Lighter Fluid Around Door
MOSCOW MILLS, Mo. — The night began with a trip into the woods to set up a deer stand. It ended with a damaged front door, a woman knocked to the ground and lighter fluid sprayed across the entrance of a Moscow Mills home.
The woman told police Nathan Dwayne Griffith never tried to ignite the fluid. What frightened her was the expression on his face.
“He had that look in his eye,” she said.
Nathan Griffith, Moscow Mills, Mo.
CHARGES
Domestic assault, fourth degree — Class A misdemeanor
Domestic assault, fourth degree — Class A misdemeanor
Griffith had consumed approximately 12 shots of liquor while the group worked on the deer stand, a witness told police. He returned home about an hour before officers were called shortly after 8:30 p.m. Oct. 27.
A woman brought food outside in an effort to help him sober up. When she encouraged him to eat and go to bed, Griffith became angry and threw the plate at her, striking her and causing her to fall.
As she bent down to clean up the food, Griffith pushed a rolling trash cart into her and knocked her to the ground. She was not injured but went inside and locked the front door, fearing the confrontation would escalate.
Approximately 20 minutes later, Griffith began kicking the door. The force displaced part of the interior frame and pushed the hinges inward.
The woman feared the door would be damaged beyond repair, so she opened it and tried to persuade Griffith to stay outside. He continued attempting to enter until the dogs inside became aggressive, convincing him to remain outside long enough for her to secure the screen door and front door again.
About 10 minutes later, she opened the door and found Griffith “literally squirting lighter fluid all over and around the front door.”
An officer detected a moderate odor of lighter fluid and found a trail of droplet stains across the door and welcome mat. People at the home also reported that Griffith had said he was “going to end up killing” someone if something was not done.
When asked whether Griffith had threatened to ignite the lighter fluid or taken any steps to light it, the woman said no. She remained afraid because of what she described as a familiar expression suggesting that violence was about to erupt.
“He had that look in his eye,” she told the officer.
A witness described seeing fear in the woman’s eyes along with what appeared to be exhaustion from years of unresolved abuse.
“It seems nobody, not even the cops, can do anything to help or stop the abuse,” the witness said.
Griffith was charged with two counts of fourth-degree domestic assault. A warrant was issued and served Oct. 28.
He was released after posting $200 under the warrant’s 10% bond provision. His release conditions prohibit contact with the victims or any co-defendants, prohibit mood-altering substances and require participation in the Rise Up controlled-substance monitoring program.
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Sources
Lincoln County Circuit Court records in case No. 26L6-CR00701
Moscow Mills Police Department case No. 26-4053
Missouri Case.net docket entries accessed Oct. 30, 2026
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