Additional charges filed in connection with burned body found in Ripley County

DONIPHAN — Murder and kidnapping were among the additional charges filed Tuesday against a Doniphan man in connection to the recent death of a man whose body was found in the debris of a burned home.

Bunyard

Derek Bunyard, 36, was charged with the Class A felonies of first-degree murder and first-degree kidnapping, the unclassified felony of armed criminal action, Class D felony of second-degree arson and the Class E felony of tampering with physical evidence in connection to the July 21 death of Daniel L. Richardson, 44, of Ripley County.

Richardson’s body, Ripley County Coroner Mike Jackson earlier said, was found in a residence off of Highway 21, about 10 miles north of Doniphan.

The home reportedly had burned with Richardson inside on July 22, and his body was found Saturday when investigators executed a search warrant on the abandoned home after having received information from a confidential source.

Richardson’s cause of death was reported as homicide by undetermined method.

The complaint filed with the court alleges Bunyard “acting alone or in concert“ with Schylar Alexis Tubbs of Fairdealing; Jerad Lynn Lloyd, David B. Scrivner Jr., Dawn Alexis Lloyd and Cody Allen Payne, all of Doniphan, caused Richardson’s death.

The suspects, who face the same charges as Bunyard, are accused of killing Richardson while assaulting him in retaliation for Richardson’s alleged earlier assault of his girlfriend/Jerad Lloyd’s sister.

Bunyard originally was charged with the Class E felony of tampering with physical evidence.

Scrivner, according to Ripley County Deputy Chad Keathley’s probable-cause affidavit, borrowed Bunyard’s 2013 Ford Edge, which allegedly was used during the time Richardson was assaulted and killed.

Upon the vehicle’s return, Bunyard allegedly cleaned his car to destroy any evidence.

Bunyard is in jail on a $50,000 cash or surety bond. He is to appear Aug. 14 before Associate Circuit Judge Thomas David Swindle for an announcement in his case.

The other suspects, who are being held without bond, are to appear Sept. 4 before Swindle for an announcement in their cases.