~UPDATED~Authorities In Ozark Investigating Apparent Homicide, Name Of Victim Released:

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Ozark Police Chief Lyle Hodges



Authorities in Ozark are investigating the death of a man who was found shot to death on a parking lot of an apartment complex in the 1300 block of West Hall street.

Crime scene tape surrounds the parking lot where a man was found shot to death (courtesy KTTS)

Police chief Lyle Hodges says Michael G. Tindall, 50, of Ozark, died from a single gunshot wound to the head.  "We have surveillance tape from several businesses and want to talk to a man that appears in the tape that we believe has information that could help us."

Hodges says a man getting in his vehicle found the body between two cars between 11 a.m. and noon today (10-02-11).  The complex where the body was found is Riverside Townhomes but, "Several complexes use that parking lot and we haven't been able to find anyone who heard or saw anything at this point," said Hodges.

An autopsy, that will determine if it was a self-inflicted wound or homicide, is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. on Monday (10-03-11.)

Authorities Need Public's Help In Locating Manslaughter Suspect:

Karena Dawn Smith photo

Authorities are still searching for a Dallas County teenager who has been charged with involuntary manslaughter and two counts of assault for a Memorial Day (05-31-10) car crash that killed her boyfriend and injured two other people.

Christian County Prosecutor Ron Cleek filed those charges against Karena D. Smith on June 29 and authorities believe she has been on the run ever since.

According to the probable cause statement filed with the charges against Smith, her blood alcohol level was allegedly .191 percent, more than double the legal limit, when she veered in front of a pickup truck in Ozark.

Joshua W. Bridges (family photo)

Her boyfriend Joshua W. Bridges, 21, of Fair Grove, was killed in the crash--another passenger in Smith's vehicle, Ashley Pierce, broke her pelvis and had a serious head injury. The driver of the pickup, Shannon Mitchell, broke his wrist.

This is not the only time Smith has eluded authorities. She was charged with DWI in Fair Grove municipal court in June of 2009. According to online court records, Smith failed to appear in court twice as that case worked it's way through the legal system and capius warrants for her arrest were issued each time.

Just 12 days before the fatal car crash Smith pled guilty to the misdemeanor DWI charge. She was placed on two years probation and her drivers license was revoked.

A $25,000 cash-only bond has been issued for the defendant.

The Ozark police department is receiving help from Springfield Area Crime Stoppers, who is offering a reward of up to $1,000 that leads to Smith's arrest.

Smith is described as a 115-pound, 5-foot-2-inch white female with brown hair and brown eyes who has a scar on her abdomen.

She’s believed to be hiding somewhere in southwest Missouri.

Anyone with information on Smith’s whereabouts is asked to contact their local law enforcement agency or Crime Stoppers at 417-869-TIPS (8477). You can also submit information online at http://tipsubmit.com/.

Two Year-Old Dies After Being Run Over By Father's Truck:

A two year-old boy from Nixa was killed yesterday (04-28-10) when he was run over by his father's pickup truck.

Ozark Police Chief Lyle Hodges says Daniel Goetz, 26, unbuckled his son, Jacobie, from his car seat when he got out of his vehicle at Riverside Heights to talk to a friend. Daniel Goetz told investigators that he heard the emergency brake pop, and saw the truck begin to roll. Goetz says when he opened the truck door to try and stop the vehicle, the little boy fell out and was run over.

A news release from Hodges says the "preliminary investigation" shows Jacobie knocked the vehicle out of gear. Goetz, however, says his son released the parking brake.

Hodges says, "It was a pretty bad deal. We are in the preliminary stages of the investigation...it's appears to be a tragic accident."