Monday, April 25, 2011

Minister, Wife Murdered In Home In Southwest Greene County:



An elderly Greene County couple were found murdered in their home this morning following a frantic 9-1-1 call from a woman at 2919 W. Swan saying an intruder was inside her home.

Sheriff Jim Arnott says Helen Willingham, 80, made that call at 5:44 a.m. and dropped the phone.  The call was not disconnected and investigators are reviewing the tape for clues.  Her husband Donald, 81, was the pastor at Northside Baptist Church and they were both former missionaries.

Initial reports to authorities was that it was a home invasion, however, they aren't ruling out that the couple may have known their killer.

Arnott says his office responds to property crimes in that area on a daily basis.

Investigators were seen searching a black PT Cruiser parked close to the couple's home.  That car has now been removed so investigators can process the car out of the rain.


Greene County Investigators Searched This Vehicle Near The Crime Scene (courtesy Springfield News Leader)

Detectives are interviewing one person in an effort to glean more information.

Arnott said neighbors saw a dark complected man in a hoodie running from the scene.

If you have information about this double homicide, you're asked to call the sheriff's office at (417) 868-4040 or 9-1-1.

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