Two men charged in connection with woman’s death in Phelps County
PHELPS COUNTY, Mo. (KMIZ)
Phelps County prosecutors charged two people Monday in connection with a woman's death.
According to a news release from the Phelps County Sheriff's Office, deputies arrested Michael Douglas Billinglsey, 37, and Douglas Wayne Billingsley, 66.
Deputies responded to a call about an unconscious woman just before 1 a.m. Monday. Deputies found Vannessa Lee Bradfield, 40, dead inside a home in the 1900 block of Private Drive near Beulah.
Investigators identified her boyfriend, Michael Douglas Billingsley, as a person of interest. Other agencies, including the highway patrol, Missouri Department of Conservation, and FBI, helped look for him.
During the investigation, deputies arrested his father, Douglas Wayne Billingsley. Douglas Wayne is accused of tampering with evidence.
Deputies arrested Michael Douglas several hours later. Investigators found him near his home around 4:30 p.m. Monday.
Prosecutors charged Michael Douglas with involuntary manslaughter and abandonment of a corpse.
The sheriff's office said that new information surfaced on Tuesday and they are now asking for felony murder and domestic assault charges. Authorities said they expect those new charges to be filed Wednesday.
