Two suspects in Audrain County homicide investigation charged with murder
Two suspects have been formally charged with first-degree murder, armed criminal action and unlawful possession of a firearm. They are accused of killing 30-year-old Leon Wilder III of Columbia.
Richard Henry III, 37, of Overland, and Arline Diedrich, 39, of St. Ann, are being held in the Audrain County Jail in Mexico.
A third person of interest is still at large in connection with the Audrain County homicide last Thursday. Police say the third person had some involvement with the case, but authorities are unsure of how much.
Audrain County Sheriff Matt Oller told ABC 17 News that,through witness statements and video surveillance, police were able to determine one of the last locations in which Wilder was seen- the Welcome Inn on Providence Road in Columbia.
Oller said, “We talked with witnesses there and it appeared as though Mr. Wilder had been forced into a white Ford pickup truck.” Wilder was seen talking with white males and a female beforehand.
Nearly 20 investigators and 13 agencies all throughout Mid-Missouri assisted with the investigation through the Mid-Missouri Major Case Squad.
Both Henry and Diedrich were taken into custody on Sunday at Henry’s home in the St. Louis area by detectives with the Mid-Missouri Major Case Squad.
Oller said with the help of license plate readers, authorities were able to connect the white pickup truck with the two suspects.
Henry is a registered sex offender in St. Louis and Diedrich has been charged with drug-related charges in the past.
Law enforcement officers are still looking for a third person of interest involved with the homicide. If you have any information, please call the police or CrimeStoppers at 573-875-TIPS.
