Third suspect charged with murder in Audrain County case

Justin Traughber, 37, has now been charged with second degree murder in an Audrain County case.

Traughber is the third person charged with murder in connection to this case. ABC 17 News previously reported that Traughber admitted to having a gun during an argument on July 6.

On July 6th, Law enforcement got a call that a man was bleeding from the head on the side of the road in rural Audrain County.

When they got there they found Leon Wilder and a portion of a seat belt near the scene.

Law enforcement arrested Richard Henry II and Arline Diedrich for murder a day later.

On July 9th, Audrain County authorities said they got a tip from someone claiming they saw a fight between two white men and Wilder at the Welcome Inn.

The witness also said she saw one of the men with a gun, which authorities believed was Justin Traughber.

Witnesses said the men threw Wilder into the back of a white pickup truck and he told her, “This is the last time you ever get to talk to me because they are going to kill me.”

Diedrich and Henry claim they gave money to Traughber to give to Wilder in exchange for meth, however court documents reveal a fight started between Traughber.

Boone County authorities arrested Traughber on July 11th and found a gun on him. He admitted to authorities he had the same gun during the fight on July 6th.

He also said he thought Wilder was taking the money without giving them the meth.

Traughber was also charged with robbery, drug trafficking, tampering with an airplane/motorboat and unlawful possession of a firearm.

Richard Henry II and Arline Diedrich, are charged with first-degree murder, armed criminal action and unlawful possession of a firearm.