Monday, Sheriff Dotson called every available county deputy after the body of John Cornell was discovered on a farm road just off Lawrence 438. Lawrence County Deputies along with Walnut Ridge Police Officers and K-9 assistance from surrounding counties converged on the scene where the suspect’s truck and body was found.
Sheriff Dotson’s Dive Team searched the Running Water Creek by wading the creek while officers traveled the field roads and a search plane flew over the area. Officers searched until dark and then suspended the search and met back at the Walnut Ridge Police Complex to plan for Tuesday’s search.
Deputies from Lawrence County are also investigating leads in the county, searching hunting cabins and known places the suspect frequented. Members of the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Dive Team will resume the search of the creek on Tuesday, officers will continue to follow up on leads throughout the county.
In the meeting at the Walnut Ridge Police Complex, representatives from the Sheriff’s Office, Walnut Ridge Police Department, Hoxie Police Department, Black Rock Police Department, Arkansas Game and Fish, Arkansas State Parks, Lawrence County OES and Arkansas State Police were in attendance.
Details are still coming, so far what is confirmed is the suspect John Cornell was found dead of an apparent self inflicted gunshot wound some 200 yards from his truck which was parked on a field road off Lawrence 438. Investigators from the Lawrence County CID and Arkansas State Police are currently handling the investigation.
We will bring updates as they become available, For more information on the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office, visit www.
