Capital Murder charges have been filed against Marissa Wright (W/F, 50 YOA) in relation to the disappearance of Joe Lee Richards Jr. (40 YOA).  The charges were filed on this date and she was taken into custody without incident. 

    The investigation in this case centered on a missing person report that was filed by Mr. Richard’s family October of 2010.  Richard’s family was concerned when he disappeared without a trace leaving behind personal belongings.  Detectives have been diligently working on locating him ever since and received additional information recently that lead them to a home in Traskwood. 

    The Benton Police Department; in conjunction with the Saline County Sheriff’s Office, FBI, Haskell Police, AR Game and Fish, State Police, and the AR State Crime Lab, served a search warrant relating to the disappearance of Joe Lee Richards Jr. on 10/3/11.  After the conclusion of that search warrant detectives obtained detailed information relating to the crime.  This led to the issuance of a second warrant for the residence at 2902 W. Main St. in Traskwood on 10/4/11. 

    During the course of the investigation detectives located the remains of two human beings near the residence.  One set of remains were positively identified as being Joe Lee Richards Jr.  The Benton Police Department is continuing the investigation into Mr. Richard’s death, and the Saline County Sheriff’s Office will be assuming the other death investigation. 

    This is still an on-going investigation, and anyone with other information is strongly encouraged to contact either the Saline County Sheriff’s Office at 303-5608, or the Benton Police Department at 778-1171 or 315-TIPS.