Search warrants issued for two holiday death investigations

There is new information regarding the murder of Leon Wilder and the death of Tanzell Johnson, which happened in the days following the Fourth of July.

Tanzell Johnson was found dead in room 146 at the Welcome Inn off Providence Road. According to court documents, he was found with an “apparent gun injury.” Multiple items that were found, like bags and 18 sunglasses, appear to be linked to previous burglaries. Officers found Johnson’s body after responding to a call for an attempted suicide with a gun.

There are also updates on the murder of Leon Wilder, whose body was found less than 24 hours later off a road in Audrain County. Richard Henry and Arline Diedrich have been arrested and charged with first-degree murder, armed criminal action and unlawful possession of a firearm.

A third person of interest in the case, Justin Traughber, was arrested last week for possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of a firearm. Traughber and Henry argued with Wilder over $1,100, according to witnesses, before one of them pulled a gun and forced Wilder into a truck.

Court documents show that Traughber was staying in room 155, which is notably close to Johnson’s room, before then. Johnson and Wilder knew each other before they were found dead. Johnson’s family members said they used to hang out at the Welcome Inn, and they are connected on social media.