Laclede County Sheriff Department Investigating Suspicious Death

The Laclede County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the suspicious death of a Lebanon woman. On September 26, 2022, deputies with the Sheriff’s Office located the body of Hope L. Arnold, 33, on Route 66 near Hazelgreen. Arnold’s body was discovered over an embankment off the highway in the 33000 block of Rt. 66. Deputies were called to the area after a resident found what appeared to be a body part in their yard. Deputies searched the area east of the residence, along the highway, and located the body. Investigators with the Sheriff’s Office followed several leads that led to the identification of the body.  Laclede County Sheriff David Millsap said his office is following up on several leads.

Preliminary results of an autopsy conducted Monday afternoon indicated Arnold died of blunt trauma to the body. “The body was in a state of advanced decomposition indicating the body had been at the location for several days,” said Sheriff David Millsap. “The family has been notified and the investigators are following several leads,” Millsap said. “The victim was released from prison on September 9, 2022 and we believe that on or about that date is when she died.” The Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone with information to contact the Laclede County Sheriff’s Office at 417-532-2311