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2018 Arkansas Domestic Violence Homicides

Note: If you are aware of anyone who needs to be added to this list, please contact Ashley Walker at awalker@domesticpeace.com with any information that you have.

(This list is based on the most recent information available to the public.)

Updated 4/1/2019

 

44 Total Deaths to Date:

23 Women, 13 Men, 8 Children

* 24 Intimate Partner Violence

 

Xavier Parker

January 4, 2018

Brinkley (Monroe County)

James Lee Frost surrendered to Brinkley Police after stating he had shot 4 people. Frost shot and killed his friend, 33-year-old Xavier Marques Parker, and wounded three others. One was Frost’s girlfriend, 25-year-old Holly Yarbrough. Two others were injured in an adjacent apartment at the Pinewood Apartments located at 615 W. 6th St. On one side of the apartment complex Frost saw Parker’s vehicle and Yarbrough’s vehicle, so he figured since both vehicles were there, they were together. As soon as Yarbrough and Parker walked out of the apartment, he shot them. James Lee Frost was charged with first-degree murder, three counts of felony battery and possession of a firearm by a certain person.

Age: 33 *

Katrina Hampton-Williams

January 21, 2018

Little Rock (Pulaski County)

According to a news release from the Little Rock Police Department, officers were called out to a residence on West 34th Street shortly before 2 p.m. regarding a body found. At the home, police spoke with the mother of 34-year-old Katrina Hampton. She told responders that she found her daughter dead on the floor and called 911. There had been multiple other violent incidents between Katrina and her husband, Wade Williams. The medical examiner ruled Katrina’s death a homicide but her cause of death was not released. In May of 2018 police arrested Wade Williams and charged him with first-degree murder, burglary, and theft of property in connection with Katrina’s death.

Age: 34 *

 

Kylah Woodard

January 30, 2018

Fort Smith (Sebastian County)

Police were called to Sparks Regional Medical Center around 4:15 p.m. on January 30, 2018, when Serra Johnson and La’Mont Williams arrived at the emergency room carrying an unresponsive toddler. Doctors were unable to resuscitate her and stated that the child body was found with unexplained bruises on her head and body. According to an affidavit, the medical examiner had determined that the child died from “blunt force abdominal trauma” and the manner of death was a homicide. Williams was later charged with first-degree murder of 20-month-old, Kylan Woodard, and admitted to punching the little girl in the stomach “a couple of times”. He also said he had hit her and left bruises on her in the past. The mother was not charged.

Age: 1

 

Gemina Stromile

February 10, 2018

El Dorado (Union County)

At 3:30 p.m. El Dorado Police were called to the area of West Main and Oak Valley in reference to a welfare concern. Upon arrival, officers discovered Gemina Stromile, unresponsive inside of a red, four-door Pontiac car. Officers said the car was parked on the edge of a wooded area and was not near any house in the subdivision. Emergency medical was requested to the area where Stromile was, and she was pronounced dead on the scene. Police investigated the death as a homicide since there was an attempt to burn the vehicle and damage to the interior. Police investigators declined to release details on injuries sustained by Stromile, citing that a medical examination will be performed by the state crime lab. But investigators did state that the death was a domestic situation. Stromile’s boyfriend, Jeffery Jerome Burton was charged with first-degree murder, arson, and an enhanced penalty for committing a felony with a firearm.

Age 41 *

 

JoAnne Reeves

February 18, 2018

Crossett (Ashley County)

The Ashley County Police Department was called out to a shooting at 293 Ashley Road, where they found JoAnne Reeves shot to death. Police say they found her body in her home with multiple gunshot wounds. They also found her boyfriend, James Johnson, in the front yard of the home they shared, with gunshot wounds. Johnson was transported to Ashley County Medical Center where he was treated and taken into custody to be charged with the murder of JoAnne Reeves.

Age: 62 *

 

Kirstie Headley

March 14, 2018

Mountain Home (Baxter County)

Mountain Home Police Department was called to the Dollar General Store located at 4016 Highway 5 South where they found a store employee and resident of Mountain Home stabbed several times. The employee, 36-year-old Kirstie Headey was dragged out of the store by her estranged husband Rick Headley. Kirstie was transported to Baxter County Regional Medical Center and later died from her injuries. According to reports, Kirstie had a valid protection order for herself and a minor against Rick and this was not the first domestic violence incident involving Rick and Kirstie. Rick has been charged with capital murder, false imprisonment, aggravated assault, and multiple other charges.

Age: 36 *

Shonda Gonzalez

March 17, 2018

Jonesboro (Craighead County)

Jonesboro Police Department was called to a residence on Gilbert Street around 7:50 p.m. in reference to an unresponsive woman. When police entered the house they found Shonda Gonzalez. The police department said there were no signs of forced entry found and the circumstances of her death were not immediately clear. After further investigation, Gonzalez’s death was ruled a homicide. According to court documents, police arrested Gonzalez’s boyfriend, 39-year-old Terrance Taylor of Jonesboro. Taylor was charged with first-degree murder, possession of meth and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Age: 37 *

Marjorie Ashcraft

March 26, 2018

Little Rock (Pulaski County)

The 14-year-old son of Doyle and Marjorie Ashcraft told authorities that he woke up to the smell of smoke in the house. After the boy unsuccessfully tried to alert his parents, he broke a window, left the residence and ran to a neighbor’s house for help. Little Rock Police Department found Marjorie inside a back bedroom “with injuries that were not consistent with a fire” and that she had suffered a “severe laceration.” According to the son, there were cameras inside of the home and he knew they worked because he had gotten in trouble the week before for something that was on the cameras, Doyle told police that they hadn’t worked in several weeks. Police believe Doyle stabbed his wife, set their home on fire and then left “to go to the store.” Doyle Ashcraft was arrested and charged with first-degree murder and criminal attempt to commit murder.

Age: 35 *

 

Norma Salinas

April 3, 2018

Lowell (Benton County)

Police arrived at the Fullerton Trailer Park for a report of shots fired and a person shot. When officers arrived they spoke to Jazmin Fonseca, who was the 911 caller. Fonseca told the officers she did not witness the shooting, but she did see the suspect. According to the police report the suspect was identified as Jose Torres, and he was seen leaving in a black GMC Yukon. Officers then approached a white SUV where they found a friend of Salinas holding onto her. Salinas was shot in the right shoulder, unresponsive and not breathing. Witnesses said that Salinas had just gotten to the trailer park after getting off of work and Torres had found her there and tried to get her to come home with him after a domestic altercation. When Salinas refused Torres shot through the locked passenger door three times and the fled the scene. Torres and Salinas’ two children were in the backseat during the shooting. Police arrested Torres in Avoca and he was charged with capital murder, two counts of first-degree endangering the welfare of a minor, and aggravated assault.

Age: 24 *

 

Jessica McConnell

April 6, 2018

Hot Springs (Garland County)

The Garland County Sheriff’s Office was called out to a home on Park Avenue where someone was yelling for help after gunshots were heard. When deputies arrived, they found Franklin McConnell Jr. and Jessica McConnell deceased from apparent gunshot wounds. Deputies also found James Long shot but alive. Authorities say, Mr. McConnell shot and killed his wife, Jessica, shot Long, and then shot himself resulting in a murder/attempted murder/suicide. Long was taken to a nearby hospital where he is believed to make a full recovery.

Age: 27 *

Leanna Cogswell

April 17, 2018

Russellville (Pope County)

Russellville Police Department was called out to Keith and Leanna Cogswell’s home on Shiloh Rd. by their housekeeper. When Arkansas State Police and the Russellville Police Department entered the home, they found Mr. and Mrs. Cogswell shot to death in an apparent murder/suicide. The state crime lab determined that Leanna’s death was ruled a homicide and Keith’s death was a suicide. The couple were prominent members of the community and leave behind three children.

Age: 39 *

Robert Highfill

April 23, 2018

Trumann (Craighead County)

When Trumann police arrived at the Walmart parking lot, they found Gabriel Urrabazo with a gun to his ex-wife, Faith Morgan’s head. While officers were negotiating with Urrabazo, Faith’s uncle, Robert Highfill, decided to intervene and tried to disarm Urrabazo. He then turned the gun on Highfill and killed him. Urrabazo continued to hold Morgan hostage and eventually let her go and surrendered to police. He was taken into custody and charged with first-degree murder and kidnapping.

Age: 35

 

Misha Rivera

May 5, 2018

Rogers (Benton County)

Misha Rivera was found strangled and beaten to death inside of her home after family members had not heard from her. After reading a passage in her journal about her boyfriend, Kevin Clayborn, “having a strange look in his eye” and after further investigation by police, they issued an arrest warrant for Clayborn. One of Clayborn’s ex-girlfriends let the police know that he came to her home saying that he needed a ride to Oklahoma City. The ex-girlfriend then dropped him off near where his ex-wife lived. Oklahoma City Fugitive Task Force watched for Clayborn and arrested him without incident. Clayborn is charged with capital murder and theft of property. Misha was a beloved member of her community and worked for the Northwest Arkansas Women’s Shelter in their thrift store that supports those affected by domestic violence.

Age: 48 *

 

Shirley Ann Kirklin

May 10, 2018

Little Rock (Pulaski County)

Little Rock Police Department was called out to a killing on Edwina Drive. Shirley Kirklin’s 15-year-old son woke up from a nap and went to check on his mother and found her and her boyfriend, Timothy Williams, shot to death in their master bedroom. Kirklin’s terrified son first called family members who in turn called 911. According to reports, Williams murdered Kirklin and then turned the gun on himself, resulting in a murder/suicide.

Age: 47 *

Ruby Ross

May 15, 2018

Pea Ridge (Benton County)

A Bentonville woman has been arrested in the killing of her grandmother. Andrea Wilson is accused of hitting 81-year-old, Ruby Ross, at least four times with a hammer. Detectives with the Benton County Sheriff’s office searched Ross’ home Pea Ridge and found a bloody hammer with white hair and rubber gloves in an outhouse behind Ross’ home. Detectives also found a large butcher knife and bank statements with Wilson’s name on it. In the death of her grandmother, Wilson was arrested and charged with capital murder and tampering with evidence. On the same day, Wilson was also charged with aggravated assault and battery for a vehicle/pedestrian incident that occurred earlier in the day. Wilson is said to have hit a man on his bicycle while he was on the sidewalk and then backed up and tried to hit him again with her car.

Age: 81

Millie Hughes

May 27, 2018

North Little Rock (Pulaski County)

Becca and Richard Hughes drove their infant daughter, Millie, to the UAMS emergency room due to being non-responsive and would not eat. Doctors determined that Millie had internal bleeding in her brain and eyes and said it was a “non-survivable brain injury.” Millie’s father, Richard was in charge of her the night before she became unresponsive, but said he didn’t know what happened. Seven days after Millie was taken to the emergency room, she was taken off of life support and died. A month after her death, Richard fled to North Arkansas to hide from what he had done. Five months after the death of his daughter, Richard Hughes was arrested and charged with capital murder.

Age: 44-days

 

Caseleigh McKellar

May 29, 2018

Pitts (Poinsett County)

The Poinsett County Sheriff’s office was called out in reference to an infant who was possibly dead at a home. 1-month-old Caseleigh McKellar’s mother, Tyra Neal told detectives that she may have put the baby in scalding hot water because she had diarrhea, then put her in the clothes dryer. Caseleigh died due to “thermal injuries.” Neal has been charged with second-degree murder and abuse of a corpse.

Age: 1 month

Paisley Buchanan

June 12, 2018

Van Buren (Crawford County)

Emergency services were called around 9 a.m. when Paisley Buchanan’s mother awoke and saw Paisley’s father, Tyler Buchanan holding the lifeless baby. Tyler reportedly told officers that he knew what he was doing the entire time. He later admitted to holding Paisley’s head against his shoulder in order to stop her breathing because she was screaming too loud and he was trying to sleep. He also told police he smothered the girl at around 2 a.m. but did not call for help. Tyler Buchanan has been charged with capital murder in the death of his two-month-old daughter.

Age: 2 Months

Lori Bruick

June 13, 2018

West Fork (Logan County)

Logan County Sheriff’s Office found Lawrence Bruick dead near Mount Magazine from an apparent suicide. Sheriff’s deputies contacted West Fork Police Department to notify his wife, Lori Bruick, who was the next of kin. Authorities were unable to make contact with Lori several times when officers decided to do a welfare check. While searching the home, police found Lori in a chest freezer in the garage. Authorities believe an altercation between Lawrence and Lori had taken place in the garage. Lori died from blunt-force trauma and Lawrence put her in the chest freezer and then drove to Mount Magazine where he killed himself ending the murder/suicide.

Age: 55 *

 

Ricky & Rita Boswell

July 10, 2018

Pocahontas (Randolph County)

Ricky and Rita Boswell’s daughter told authorities that she had made several attempts to contact to her parents and when she couldn’t she became concerned about them, and reported them missing to local authorities on July 13. On July14 the daughter went to her parent’s home on Sue Lane and told 911 dispatch that she discovered the body of her mother, Rita. Randolph County Sheriff’s Department and the Pocahontas Police Department both responded to the call, when officers made an entry, they discovered the deceased bodies of both Ricky and Rita. When asked about any knowledge regarding his grandparents, Nicholas Patterson, confessed to the killings. Patterson has been charged with two counts of capital murder.

Age: 66 and 66

Brionna Belcher & Jonathan Harris

July 26, 2018

Fort Smith (Sebastian County)

Around 4 a.m. a neighbor in the West Apartments heard what sound like a gunshot in the complex and found two bodies inside of a unit. When Fort Smith Police Department arrived on scene they found Brionna Belcher and her boyfriend, Jonathan Harris dead from gunshot wounds. After an investigation, Fort Smith Police Department named Brionna’s ex-boyfriend, Marcus Collins and his friend, Neirod Medlock as suspects. U.S. Marshals captured both Collins and Medlock, in Memphis, TN. Both men are being charged with first-degree murder, one count of residential burglary and two counts of kidnapping.

Age 24 and 43 **

Keith Mathis

July 28, 2018

Little Rock (Pulaski County)

According to Little Rock police reports, Keith Mathis’ girlfriend, Christie Sims contacted the police department to confess that she had stabbed Keith days earlier and he might be deceased in his home. When officers arrived to Keith’s home in West Little Rock they found him with multiple stab wounds and his body was in a state of decay. Officers do not know what prompted Sims to surrender and confess but she was arrested and charged with first-degree murder and theft of property.

Age: 63 *

Craig Evans

July 29, 2018

Hartman (Johnson County)

Shortly before 9 p.m., Johnson County Sheriff’s Office was called out to a home in Hartman with reports of a stabbing. When sheriff’s deputies arrived they found Craig Evans with multiple stab wounds. Craig died from his injuries before he could be transported to the hospital. The next day, Craig’s wife, Ambra Evans, was arrested for Craig’s stabbing. Ambra is charged with first-degree murder.

Age: 50 *

David and William White

August 1, 2018

Yellville (Marion County)

Marion County Sheriff’s office received a 911 call from Bridget Brown stating there had been shooting about 10 miles south of Yellville on state Highway 14 South. Brown stated that Donald Beckwith called her and told her that she needed to “come and pick up their juvenile son because he had just shot his uncle and grandfather.” When deputies arrived, they found Beckwith standing in the front yard with the boy sitting behind him. Officers also found the bodies of Beckwith’s uncle, David White, and grandfather, William White under tarps on the porch. David appeared to have been shot multiple times in the chest and William had been shot once in the chest. Beckwith was interviewed at the sheriff’s office where he admitted shooting his uncle and his grandfather. Beckwith has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder

Age: 59 and 89

 

Melana Price

August 10, 2018

Paragould (Greene County)

The Paragould Police Department were called out to a shooting on Fairview Road. When officers arrived on scene they found Michael Price sitting down with a gun at his feet, while checking out the rest of the residence they found Michael’s wife, Melana, shot to death in a back bedroom. Witnesses told officers that the couple was having an argument when Michael pulled a gun out and shot Melana. Michael was arrested for first-degree murder and aggravated assault.

Age: 47 *

 

Lincoln Warren

August 23, 2018

Heber Springs (Cleburne County)

The Cleburne County Sheriff’s office said in a news release that deputies were called Wednesday to a report of an unresponsive infant at The Oaks Apartments in Heber Springs. Lincoln Warren was taken to an area hospital for treatment and then transferred to Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock, where Lincoln died. Investigators say after reviewing medical examinations and conducting interviews, Lincoln’s father, Casey Warren was charged with first-degree murder.

Age: 3 Months

Margaret Clevenger

September 3, 2018

Little Rock (Pulaski County)

During the call to 911, Timothy Clevenger said “My wife is down”, “She looks like she’s dead”, and “there is blood everywhere”. Timothy said he returned home from the gym around 8:00 a.m. on Labor Day and found his wife, Margaret “Meg” Clevenger unresponsive in the hallway. She was rushed to an area hospital where she died. Little Rock Police Department noted many inconsistencies in Timothy’s statement, the recollection of events, physical evidence, and surveillance evidence. 23 days after Meg’s death, Timothy was arrested and charged with first-degree murder.

Age: 56 *

 

Patrick Quinley

September 29, 2018

Rogers (Benton County)

Rogers Police Department was called out to do a welfare check at a home on Alton Circle, to check on a man who had not shown up to work in a few days and was not answering his phone. When officers arrived they discovered Patrick Quinley. Quinley was in his living room, lying on his back in a large amount of blood, with a white fur draped over his face. Quinley died from blunt-force trauma to the head, caused by his boyfriend, Don Paul Yates. Yates was arrested and charged with capital murder.

Age: 58 *

 

Cathy Charles

September 25, 2018

Paragould (Greene County)

A witness told Paragould officers that Gallie Charles, Jr. stated that he killed his ex-wife and then promptly shot himself. Police found Gallie’s wife, Cathy Charles, at a Paragould business a few minutes later with a gunshot wound to the head. Paragould Police Department are treating the deaths as a murder/suicide.

Age: 59 *

 

Shawn Sewell

October 2, 2018

Van Buren (Crawford County)

Jimmy Damante, Crawford County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy said Shawn Sewell and his girlfriend Christina McKee, had been arguing for a few days before Sewell’s murder. During a fight outside of Sewell’s work on Alma Highway, McKee pulled out a gun and shot Sewell twice in the upper body, killing him, and then drove away. A friend of Sewell told police prior to the shooting, he told them that his girlfriend had a gun and she was going to kill him. Christina McKee is charged with capital murder.

Age: 33 *

Lila Kilpatrick

October 3, 2018

Benton (Saline County)

The Benton Police Department says officers responded to a domestic disturbance with weapons shortly before 2 p.m. on Wednesday. Officer found Lila Kilpatrick with a stab wound and her father, Jimmy Kilpatrick, with multiple dog bite wounds. Both were taken to an area hospital and Lila was transferred to a Little Rock hospital. A short time after arriving at the Little Rock hospital Lila died from her injuries. Her father underwent minor surgery and Benton Police transferred him to jail once he was released from the hospital. Investigators determined that an argument between Jimmy and Lila escalated, resulting in him stabbing her and her dog attacking him. The dog also had injuries and is recovering at a veterinary clinic. Jimmy was charged with first-degree murder and animal cruelty.

Age: 30

 

Michael and Kathy Jordan

October 10, 2018

Franklin County (Franklin County)

When Kathy Jordan’s employer was unable to reach her they called Franklin County Sheriff’s Office for a welfare check. Her employer was concerned because Kathy Jordan had stated to them she was having problems with their son, Dustin Jordan, and she was in fear for her safety. Kathy texted her husband, Michael, Saturday morning saying she caught Dustin attempting to sneak into their room during the night, but he tripped over the dog gate that was in the doorway and woke her up. On May 10 the Jordan’s contacted the Sheriff’s office saying Dustin “had become aggressive and struck Michael before displaying a knife in a threatening manner toward them.” On October 10th when deputies entered the Jordan home, they found Michael and Kathy shot to death. 23-year-old Dustin Jordan has been charged with the murder of his parents.

Age: 56 and 53

 

Tobias Bushong

November 2, 2018

Little Rock (Pulaski County)

Little Rock Police Department was called out to a residence on Sunflower Drive for reports of shots fired. When police arrived on scene they smoke to D’Anthony Bushong’s mother who stated that her son shot her brother, Tobias. Tobias was transferred to UAMS where he died from his injuries. Officers took D’Anthony into custody and charged him with first-degree murder.

Age: 36

Wanda Self & Megan Galey

November 21, 2018

Hot Springs (Garland County)

Hot Springs Police Department responded to a call around 7:25 a.m. on November 21 to a residence regarding possible homicide. As they approached the glass front door, officers saw the body of a female child, Megan Galey, on her back just inside the doorway covered in blood from what appeared to be multiple stabs or puncture wounds. Officers then found a second victim, Wanda Self, inside a rear bedroom. Wanda was on her back, covered in blood, and also appeared to have multiples stab or puncture wounds. As police search the residence, officers located Melissa Galey in the backyard emerging from underneath the residence. Melissa was found to be trying to set the house of fire when officers found her. She had blood all over her clothing and admitted that she had been planning for a week to kill her mother and her daughter. A friend of the family told reporters that Megan’s older sister had expressed concern because of the bizarre things her mother had been saying recently. The friend of the family had contacted Child Protective Services the day before Melissa murdered her daughter. Melissa Galey was charged with two counts of capital murder and one count of criminal attempt at arson.

Age: 71 and 8

Terri Hardcastle

November 27, 2018

Jonesboro (Craighead County)

Jonesboro Police Department responded to a call reporting a homicide. When officers arrived on scene they found a small infant unharmed. Further investigations officers found Johnny Cook dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. They also found his girlfriend, Terri Hardcastle shot to death in their home. Investigators confirmed the deaths were a murder/suicide.

Age: 39 *

Remington Rainey

November 29, 2018

Danville (Yell County)

Chase Mullins, placed a 911 call to report that a child was discovered not breathing. Yell County EMS arrived on scene transported Remington to Chamber Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. Sheriff’s investigators were notified, conducted several interviews, and obtained a search warrant for the residence. The Arkansas State Medical Examiner showed that the child died from blunt force trauma to the head and the manner of death was listed as a homicide. Chase Mullins is the boyfriend of Remington’s mother and he was the only adult at the residence when the child was discovered. Remington’s mother was at work at the time. Chase Mullins was charged with first-degree murder.

Age: 2

Kala Swaims

December 16, 2018

Heber Springs (Cleburne County)

Cleburne County Sheriff’s Deputies were called to a house outside of Heber Springs in reference to a woman who was shot. When deputies arrived, they found Kala Swaims shot. She then told police that her boyfriend, Joey Bailey, shot her and then shot himself in a back bedroom. Kala was transported to a nearby hospital and then airlifted to Little Rock. The next day, Kala died from her injuries.

Age: 49 *

 

 

Joseph Jones

December 20. 2018

Little Rock (Pulaski County)

Little Rock Police received a 911 call from a neighbor stating that Joseph Jones was injured and needed help. When EMS and officers arrived they found Joseph on the porch of a brick house bleeding heavily from a head injury. EMS transported Joseph an area hospital, where he later died. Kendall Jones, who was walking around the house when police arrived, gave offices a statement and was arrested and charge of first-degree murder. The original 911 caller said he believed that Kendall broke in the back door and attacked his father by striking him in the head with a brick. Joseph then ran to Roger’s house and banged on the door before laying on the porch. Kendall was charged with first-degree murder.

Age: 77

Baby Girl Shockley

December 27, 2018

Jacksonville (Pulaski County)

Jacksonville Police was called about a “suspicious incident” involving a child on North Simmons Dr. When officers arrived on scene Derek Shockley told officers that he was giving his daughter a bath when “her skin started to slip off.” The shower temperature was measured at 153 degrees Fahrenheit. When Shockley put his daughter in the shower with the extreme heat that is what led to her skin peeling off. She had burns over two-thirds of her body. On December 27, the one-year-old passed away after developing septic shock and organ failure due to her injuries. Derek Shockley was charged with second-degree murder, domestic battery and endangering the welfare of a minor.

Age: 13 Months

 

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