Benton County Man Held In Death Of Girlfriend

According to Benton County Sheriff Eric Knox, a man has been apprehended by the Benton County Sheriff’s Office in connection with the death of his girlfriend.

The suspect, identified as 54-year-old Robert Ashley Peterson, has been charged with first-degree murder in relation to the death of the victim, who has been identified as Lori Beth Finlay. Peterson is currently being held in the Benton County Jail without bond.

The arrest came after deputies responded to a residence in Warsaw on May 18th. Two women had contacted the authorities, expressing concerns about their friend who had been missing since May 15th. Upon arrival, deputies found a body wrapped in a blanket and concealed with trash bags.

Sheriff Knox acknowledged the citizens’ proactive actions, stating, “The citizens took matters into their own hands, which is not something I recommend, but in this particular case, it proved beneficial because, without their intervention, we may not have had a viable case.”

Peterson may be facing further charges as the investigation continues.