Judge denies bond for man accused in Columbia double murder

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Columbia man accused of murdering two women including his ex-wife and hiding their bodies was denied bond Wednesday.

Judge Kimberly Shaw ruled that Randall R. Fox would remain jailed without bond on five felonies. Fox was charged last week with two counts of second-degree murder, two counts of armed criminal action and one count of evidence tampering.

Authorities allege Fox killed Marcia Hess, 77, and his ex-wife, Sara Fox, 50, and hid their bodies in the basement of Sara Fox's home in the 1700 block of Columbia's Ridgemont Drive. Hess was Sara Fox's mother.

The two women went missing May 8 and their bodies were discovered last week, police say.

Police identified the bodies this week but already suspected they were Hess and Sara Fox, leading to Randall Fox being charged before their identification.

A probable cause statement says Sara Fox's sister reported Sara Fox and Hess missing. The woman reported the victims' possessions such as purses and cellphones were left in their home and their vehicle was there.

Both bodies had traumatic injuries and police found a chemical substance that causes a visible reaction when it comes into contact with blood, a probable cause statement says.

Randall Fox also mentioned during interrogation that the bodies were in the basement before police had mentioned where they found the remains, according to the statement.

Court records show Fox is applying for a public defender. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 27.