Pictured: Jeffrey Stansbery

Sheriff Kenny Cassell states that on September 5, 2024, the Searcy County Sheriff's Office received a call from personnel at Cox Medical Center in Branson, Missouri. The call referenced and individual named Jeffrey Stansbery of St. Joe, Arkansas. Stansbery had entered the hospital complaining of a medical condition, at which point Stansbery made statements, which referenced him doing harm to a female.

Personnel at Cox Medical Center contacted the Searcy County Sheriff's Office and relayed that information to the Searcy County Dispatch Center. Searcy County investigators then contacted the Branson Police Department and requested that they dispatch units to the medical center in order to speak with Stansberry.

After arriving and contacting Stansbery, Branson officers learned, from Stansberry, that he had possibly done harm to a female in Searcy County. At this point Searcy County Sheriff Kenny Cassell and county investigators began attempting to locate the victim. After arriving at the Stansbery residence (133 Chipley Road) in St Joe, an exigent welfare check was done. During this time, information was obtained that led investigators to believe that the victim was possibly deceased and concealed at the residence.

The Arkansas State Police Criminal Investigation Division was asked to assist in the investigation, at which time a search warrant was obtained by Searcy County Sheriff's Office investigators.  After obtaining the search warrant, the Searcy County Sheriff's Office and the Arkansas State Police Criminal Investigation Division began processing the residence as a crime scene.  While processing the scene, the body of the victim was located.  The victim had been concealed in such a way to avoid detection.     

On September 6, 2024, Circuit Judge H.G. Foster found probable cause in this case, and Twentieth Judicial Prosecuting Attorney Carol Crews issued a Felony Bench Warrant for the arrest of Jeffrey David Stansbery, for the offenses of Count 1:  CAPITAL MURDER (Class Y Felony), Count 2:  ABUSE OF A CORPSE (Class C Felony).  Stansbery is currently in custody in Branson, Missouri, awaiting return to Searcy County.

Sheriff Cassell extends his thanks to the Criminal Investigation Division of the Arkansas State Police and the Branson, Missouri Police Department for their joint assistance in this investigation.  

Noted:  Jeffrey Stansbery has a prior violent conviction in the State of Texas.  This investigation continues. Nothing Follows.    

Kenny Cassell

Searcy County Sheriff