The Poplar Bluff Police Department responded to a call at 8:45 a.m. Monday in regards to the death of a female subject located at a residence in the 600 block of West Victor Street.
The woman, later identified as 51-year-old Shonda Martin of Poplar Bluff, was located in the backyard of the residence, said PBPD Lt. Josh Stewart. At this point, foul play is not suspected, Stewart said, adding the investigation is ongoing.
Investigators of the Poplar Bluff Police Department, Missouri State Highway Patrol and Butler County Coroner’s Office are investigating the incident. The autopsy is scheduled for Dec. 15. Toxicology tests will also be done.
Poplar Bluff police are also investigating a weekend theft in which an undisclosed number of guns was taken, along with an unrelated stabbing which occurred the same day.
Officers were called to a break-in at Godwin’s 303 Package & Sporting Goods in Poplar Bluff around 3:30 a.m. Saturday. Suspects in the case took an undisclosed amount of firearms, said Stewart.
There are no suspects at this time, he said, but security camera footage captured three individuals inside the store at the time of the theft. This investigation is still underway, he said.
Officers were then called at 10:30 a.m. Saturday to a domestic assault in the 1000 block of North Riverview, which resulted in one person being stabbed. According to Stewart, an adult female said an acquaintance attacked her during an argument. The woman told officers she was able to reach a knife and stabbed the suspect. The suspect allegedly left the scene on foot, and the woman called the police.
The woman was transported by ambulance to the hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. Officers reported the suspect was found walking near the residence and was also transported by ambulance to the hospital with non life threatening injuries.
The case has been submitted to the prosecutor pending charges.