UPDATE ON MURDER:

Authorities are releasing the identity. The victim, 45-year old Lisa Kay Smith resided at 139 Broadview Circle, Salesville, Arkansas with the suspect.  Lisa Kay Smith’s body has been sent to the Arkansas State Crime Lab for an autopsy to determine the cause and manner of death.

A search warrant was conducted at approximately 9:30 this morning with several items recovered from the scene. Evidence at the scene along with witness statements cause Investigators to believe that Lisa Smith died as a result of severe trauma to the head and neck and believe the wounds were caused by a claw hammer and knife. A hammer and knife were both recovered at the scene.

The suspect, 53-year old David Craig Smith was arrested a short time after the incident was found hiding in the yard of a nearby neighbor’s home. Although sharing the same last name, David Smith and Lisa Smith are not related but is believed to be boyfriend/girlfriend.

After reviewing the evidence and witness statements with Prosecutor Ron Kincade, Kincade charged David Craig Smith with:

Capitol Felony Murder with aggravating, cruel and unusual circumstances, a Class Y Felony. David Smith is being held without bond in the Baxter County Detention Center.

Sheriff John Montgomery

Monday, December 31, 2012 at approximately 10:30 pm, a 911 call was received about an incident in Salesville, Arkansas and a woman possibly being deceased.   Deputies responded to 139 Broadview Circle. Deputy Brian Davis arrived and was unable to get any response from the residence but could see through a front window a person lying on the floor in the living room area.  Deputy Davis made entry into the residence and found a woman unconscious but breathing on the floor. The woman’s head was covered in blood and appeared to have severe trauma around her head and neck area.

First responders from Salesville Fire Department and ambulance personnel from Baxter Regional Medical Center arrived at the scene and transported the female to Baxter Regional and then to Mercy Hospital in Springfield, Missouri. . Approximately 2:50 am on Tuesday, January 1, 2013 she was pronounced deceased from her injuries sustained during an assault at her place of residence.

David Craig Smith, age 53 who resides at 139 Broadview Circle, was taken into custody a short time later by Sheriff’s Deputies outside a neighbor’s home.  He is being held in the Baxter County Detention Center pending further investigation.

A search warrant was signed by Judge Shawn Womack and was executed at approximately 9:30 am. Evidence was collected at the scene along with witness statements. 

The name of the 45-year old female victim is being withheld pending the notification of next of kin. Her body is being sent to the Arkansas State Crime Lab in Little Rock to determine the cause and manner of death.

Sheriff John Montgomery