Death investigation ongoing in Miller County
ROCKY MOUNT, Mo. (KMIZ)
One woman is dead, but the cause of her death is unknown after law enforcement responded to a disturbance Saturday morning around 3:53 a.m.
According to the Miller County Sheriff's Office, deputies responded to 18 Emery Road in Rocky Mount after they received a 911 call about a disturbance.
Initially, it was reported an armed adult male was inside the home threatening to kill a female.
When deputies arrived on the scene, they entered the residence through an open door and found 57-year-old Terry Ewens armed with a gun. Ewens threatened to kill the deputies.
While deputies found cover, they found a 71-year-old female unconscious, and were able to carry her outside.
The sheriff's office said a second female, 51, was able to escape through the garage. Both women were transported to the hospital.
Deputies later learned there was an 82-year-old man still in the home with Ewens.
According to a press release, officers from the Miller County Sheriff's Office, Lake Ozark Police Department, Camden County Sheriff's Office, and Missouri State Highway Patrol responded to assist with the call. They set up a perimeter by land and water.
Negotiators with Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop F made contact with Ewens by phone and heard around 12:20 p.m. the elderly man being assaulted inside the home.
SWAT officers entered the home and found the 82-year-old was being assaulted. Officers then took Ewens into custody.
The 82-year-old man was transported to the hospital with non life-threatening injuries. The suspect received minor injuries.
Law enforcement agencies found several guns inside the home.
The 71-year-old female who was found unconscious was pronounced deceased at 4:59 a.m. An autopsy is tentatively planned to determine the cause of death.
The 51-year-old female is listed in stable condition.
All of the victims of the incident are related and the suspect is an acquaintance to the family.
Ewens has been initially charged with 1st degree domestic assault with no bond and additional charges are pending.
The investigation is ongoing.
