Arkansas woman found stabbed to death, suspect in custody

Deja Davis and Shay Simon

10 minutes ago

FORREST CITY, Arkansas – A woman is dead after being stabbed to death Wednesday morning in Forrest City, Arkansas, according to police.

The victim was identified as 68-year-old Mary Lee Hunt. She was found stabbed multiple times in her home.

Forrest City police said Willie Brandon was charged with first-degree murder and tampering with evidence. He is being held on $500,000 bail.

According to Forrest City Police Chief Ronald Broussard, it was a domestic incident and the knife used in the murder was found at the scene.

Gregory Hamilton, a member of the victim’s family, said he knew immediately that Hunt was in trouble.

“I had a feeling something was wrong, so I got a call at 10 or 11 a.m. telling me to come over,” Hamilton said.

Hunt was the matriarch of the family and was bursting with personality.

“Sweetheart, don’t bother anyone, she’ll talk her little crap, good lady,” said family friend Clyde Hamilton.

Hamilton said Hunt was stabbed 25 times – “That’s crazy. That’s over the top, you stab a person 25 times.”

Broussard says evidence led her straight to her suspected killer’s home, where his blood-stained clothes were still in the washing machine.

“She was a fighter, and her fighting spirit gave us the crucial clues in the form of the bloody knuckles and the evidence of her struggle,” Broussard said.

According to Police Chief Broussard, this normally quiet and family-orientated neighborhood is plagued by violence.

“We are devastated,” he said. “She was a sweet person. She was a little belligerent, but a sweet person.”