Branson patient possibly connected to Arkansas homicide

BRANSON, Mo. — A patient staying at Cox Branson made suspicious statements that led to a dead body and a man in custody.

According to a Facebook post from the Branson Police Department (BPD), on Sept. 6, officers and detectives responded to a report that a Cox Medical Center in Branson patient made suspicious statements about possible harm to a female.

BPD identified the patient as Jeffery Stansbery of St. Joe, Arkansas. Investigators located compelling evidence to indicate a homicide had occurred in Searcy County, Arkansas.

In cooperation with the Searcy County Sheriff’s Office and Arkansas State Police, a deceased female was found.

According to a press release from the Searcy County Sheriff’s Office, Circuit Judge H.G. Foster found probable cause in this case, and Twentieth Judicial Prosecuting Attorney Carol Crews issued a Felony Bench Warrant for the arrest of Stansbery, for the offenses of capital murder and abuse of a corpse.

Stansbery remains in custody awaiting extradition to Arkansas.

There is no threat to the public.

While the investigation is ongoing, inquiries should be directed to the Searcy County Sheriff’s Office or the Arkansas State Police.

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