The Sheriff’s Office this morning at approximately 5:00 AM was asked to conduct a welfare check on 53 year old GREGORY ALAN CHERRY at a house on Stone Creek Road in Southern Baxter County. 

      He was reported by his wife to have left their residence in Fayetteville on Sunday evening, February 3rd, heading to their vacation house on Stone Creek Road.  The wife last had contact with him at approximately 10:30 PM Sunday and developed cause from that contact to be concerned for his welfare.

     Deputies went to the house on Stone Creek Road early this morning as requested.  They eventually made entry into the residence, but MR. CHERRY was not found inside.  His vehicle was at the residence.  It was decided to initiate a search of the surrounding area, and a canine tracking team was called in to assist from the Arkansas Department of Corrections – North Central Unit in Calico Rock.  The canine tracking team located MR. CHERRY near the river approximately ¼ mile from his house.  He was found to be deceased from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.  A firearm was found and taken into evidence.

     The Baxter County Coroner’s Office was contacted to remove the body, which is being sent to the Arkansas State Medical Examiner’s Office in Little Rock for autopsy to determine manner and cause of death.

     No foul play is suspected.

/s/ John F. Montgomery,
Baxter County Sheriff