Butler County Sheriff’s Department is seeking second-degree murder charges against a suspect arrested at 5 a.m. Tuesday in the death of a Wayne County woman.
Sheriff Mark Dobbs said Willie “Eddie” Sipes, 43, of the Poplar Bluff is being held in the Butler County jail. Sipes was arrested at the jail, and was booked on additional charges of possession of a controlled substance.
“The charges are in connection to a deceased female found at her home in Wayne County,” Dobbs said. “It is our belief that she died as a result of injuries she sustained while at Sipes’ residence located in the 1400 area of Butler County Road 521 in northern Butler County.”
The victim was Leslie Nicole Cook, 36, of Hiram, who appears to have died of injuries related to blunt force trauma, said Dobbs.
Deputies believe after the victim sustained the injuries, she was taken back to her home by Sipes and another female, where she was later discovered by a family member. The name of the victim has not been released.
“A joint investigation comprised of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Butler County sheriff’s office and the Wayne County sheriff’s office continues,” Dobbs said.
An autopsy has been scheduled for Thursday.
This is an evolving story and more information will be shared as it becomes available.