Bootheel man arrested after making false murder claim

DEERING, Mo. -- A Pemiscot County man who claimed he murdered his family was arrested on other charges after the claim turned out to be false.

A woman called the Pemiscot County Sheriff's Department on Thursday afternoon stating a man broke into her family's home and told her husband that he had killed his family at a nearby residence in Deering, according to a news release from Pemiscot County Sheriff Tommy Greenwell.

When deputies arrived at the residence, they found two people standing on the porch.

"One of the male subjects was mostly covered in blood," Greenwell said.

After taking the man into custody, officers went to check on his other family members, those he claimed to have killed. Greenwell said a search of the residence indicated a homicide had not taken place.

"Deputies and investigators did find a vehicle vandalized in the driveway of the originating caller," Greenwell said. "It was learned the male subject who had broken into their home had busted the passenger's side window possibly with his hand."

During their investigation, officers determined the man had consumed an unknown amount of whiskey during the day and was involved in a minor domestic disturbance with his wife.

The man was taken to the Pemiscot County Memorial Hospital for treatment, then to the jail. Greenwell said charges of first-degree burglary and tampering with a motor vehicle are expected to be filed against the man, whose name was not released pending the filing of formal charges.

Pertinent address:

Deering, MO