A woman, whose name has not been released pending the notification of next of kin, died Tuesday night after she was stabbed at the Dollar General on Highway 5 South. According to Mountain Home Police Chief Carry Manuel, a 9-1-1 call was received reporting the stabbing at 9:58. The caller stated a female was stabbed multiple times by a male and he had fled the area. Law enforcement personnel from the Mountain Home Police Department, Baxter County Sheriffs Office, and Arkansas State Police responded to the location with the first officer arriving at 10:00 p.m. The victim was transported to Baxter Regional Medical Center and later died from her injuries.
While Mountain Home Police Department and Baxter County Sheriff’s Office investigators processed the crime scene, law enforcement personnel searched for the suspect, identified as Rick Headley. A friend of the man called 9-1-1 several times and stated Headley wanted to turn himself in to law enforcement, but he didnt know his location.
Based on information received by law enforcement personnel, it was determined Headley might have been near the Moose Lodge or the soccer complex on Highway 5 South. Officers located his vehicle near Amons Lake at 11:36 p.m., but he fled on foot prior to their arrival.
The Baxter County Sheriffs Office helicopter and tracking dogs from the Arkansas Department of Correction in Calico Rock were called to assist with the search. During the search, a resident who is a friend of Headley and lives on Widners Place, called the Baxter County Sheriffs Office and reported that Headley was at the residence and wanted to surrender.
Law enforcement personnel responded to the residence and took Headley into custody. Manuel says he is currently being held at the Baxter County Detention Center for murder, based on probable cause, pending the formal filing of charges.
The Baxter County Coroner responded to Baxter Regional Medical Center to work with law enforcement personnel investigating the case.
Manuel says the name of the victim may be released Wednesday.
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