Neighbors called them the “perfect couple,” but authorities say a St. Paul, Minn., man hid a sinister side and allegedly shot his wife to death, then dismembered her body and stashed the remains in a friend’s garage.

The sickening plot occurred Sunday, after Steven R. Johnson, 34, and wife Manya — parents of an 18-month-old son — argued, according to police. Second-degree murder charges were filed against Johnson on Wednesday, and his bail was set at $2 million.

Prosecutors demanded such a high amount because of the nature of the crime, and said his child may have been present while his wife was dismembered, the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reported.

Ramsey County Attorney John Choi called the dismemberment “an elaborate scheme to try to cover this up.” Johnson also allegedly cleaned the home in order to hide the evidence.

“It’s very horrifying. It shocks the conscience of our community,” Choi said.

Authorities say Johnson used a saw to cut his 32-year-old wife’s body into pieces in their shower. He then drove the parts to a friend’s home in White Bear Lake, about 10 miles north, and dumped them into plastic bins in a garage.

The friend said Johnson later told him what happened and he alerted police Monday.

When investigators arrived at the couple’s St. Paul home, they said Johnson claimed he had been searching for his wife with one of her co-workers after she failed to show up for work.

Her LinkedIn profile lists her as a manager for marketing operations at Target.

Johnson was immediately arrested. According to a criminal complaint, Johnson confessed to the crime and said he had been drinking. His wife had threatened to take their son and leave him, NBC affiliate KARE in Minneapolis reported.

It’s unclear why. Johnson, however, is no stranger to the legal system.

In 1996, the then-18-year-old pleaded guilty to first-degree criminal sexual conduct, after authorities said he and an accomplice handcuffed a woman in a car and raped her.

Authorities said Johnson threatened to kill the woman and claimed he had a gun.

He was sentenced to 17 years in prison. Online prison records show he was released in early 2008 and is on supervised release.

Steven and Manya Johnson were married in 2009, according to online records.

A message left at a number believed to belong to Johnson’s friend who went to authorities was not returned.

Choi, meanwhile, said Johnson’s son is being cared for and is safe.

“A beautiful young mother lost her life,” he told KARE, “and I think one of the saddest parts of this case for me is the 18-month-old boy who is without a mom and will likely be without a father for a very, very long time.”