Cape police increase reward for info on murder suspect

As the anniversary of the murder of Chabreasha Egson approaches, the Cape Girardeau Police Department hopes an increased reward for her suspected killer will lead to new clues.

Tambra Turner, 30, is charged with first-degree murder for the shooting death of Egson, who died in her home at 1523 N. Spanish St. early in the morning of Feb. 22, 2008. Turner is accused of killing Egson out of romantic rivalry over the affections of Turner's estranged husband, Lloyd Gilmore.

The case was featured on "America's Most Wanted" in October, an appearance that generated some leads but delivered nothing conclusive about Turner's whereabouts, said Sgt. Jason Selzer, police department spokesman.

Through the city CrimeStoppers program, police had been offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to Turner's arrest. Because Turner lived in Sikeston, Mo., at the time of Egson's murder and police believe she has spent time there since the killing, the Sikeston Department of Public Safety has added $500 to the reward and the FBI is kicking in another $1,500, Selzer said.

Along with the state warrant for murder, Turner is wanted on a federal fugitive warrant for being a felon crossing state lines to avoid prosecution.

"We are trying to get some new people calling in with some new information," Selzer said.

Hours before the murder, Turner appeared at the home shared by Gilmore and Egson and smashed some windows with a tree limb. A witness interviewed early in the investigation told police that Turner admitted she "felt like killing" Egson because of Egson's relationship with Gilmore.

During the initial investigation, police located Turner's blue Mustang in Sikeston. It was missing a bumper, which a third party told police Turner said was lost when she damaged her car after driving away from the murder scene. Egson died of a single gunshot wound, and a witness to the shooting said the killer was the same person who had broken the home's window hours earlier.

Tips received during the investigation have placed Turner in Sikeston and St. Louis, Selzer said, but officers have not found any location where she has stayed for a lengthy period of time.

Police have warned that Turner should be considered armed and dangerous. She may be armed with a .22-caliber pistol, and police have received reports that she may have shaved her head.

Anyone with information about Turner's whereabouts is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 332-0500 or the Cape Girardeau Police Department at 335-6621. Callers have the option of remaining anonymous.

rkeller@semissourian.com

388-3642

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