Missouri authorities arrest man in connection with Searcy County murder investigation

SEARCY COUNTY, Ark. – Searcy County deputies said an Arkansas man was arrested in Missouri after a body was found in a home Thursday

In a press release from the Searcy County Sheriff’s Office, authorities reported that Jeffrey Stansbery of St. Joe, Arkansas, was arrested in Branson, Missouri in connection with an ongoing murder investigation.

SCSO officials said they received a call from a Branson hospital Thursday referring to Stansbery. Officials said they were told Stansbery had come to the hospital complaining of a medical condition and had made statements about injuring a woman. Searcy County authorities said they then asked Branson police to send units to speak with Stansbery.

After officers arrived, they said Stansbery told them he may have assaulted a woman in Searcy County, which led to an investigation by the Searcy County Sheriff’s Office. Detectives said they conducted a welfare check at Stansbery’s residence in St. Joe. Officials said detectives then received information leading them to believe the victim was dead and hidden in the home.

Authorities said they later obtained a search warrant for the home and discovered a body hidden. No information about the victim has been released at this time.

According to the press release, Stansbery is currently being held in Branson before being returned to Searcy County.

Officials say Stansbery is charged with first-degree murder and abuse of a corpse.

The press release also states that Stansbery has previous convictions for violent crimes in Texas.