Man accused in death of couple missing since early 2001

MARSHFIELD, Mo. -- Bone fragments, a piece of fabric and a witness' statement have led to murder charges in the deaths of a couple who disappeared more than five years ago.

Richard Evans, 48, who rented their farm at the time, was arrested Tuesday on two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of John "Tommy" Smith and his girlfriend, Maureen Webb. Evans was in the Webster County Jail on $1 million bond.

Cynthia Black, the Webster County prosecutor, said that while she is awaiting final DNA analysis of the bone fragments, authorities have enough evidence to link Evans to the deaths.

Smith was last seen at his home in Stafford in February 2001, and Webb was seen the next day driving her truck from her home in Bolivar. The state alleges Evans shot them to death, cut up their bodies and burned them before scattering the remains in a pond.

According to an affidavit filed in support of the charges, family members had told police early in the investigation they thought Evans might be responsible because he and Smith had had several violent encounters.

Webb's sister told police in 2002 about a man who said Smith and Webb were dead. Police who contacted him obtained a watch that had belonged to Smith. That man -- said in the probable cause statement to have witnessed the shootings -- told authorities last year that the bodies could be found at the farm in Webster County.

The man told authorities Smith and Webb went to the farm to get methamphetamine. According to the account, a scuffle ensued in which Evans' young son hit Smith with a plastic bat. The man told authorities the shooting took place after Smith hit him back.

According to the affidavit, the man said he drove Webb's truck to a mall and abandoned it, then went with his brother to Las Vegas. Upon their return, the affidavit said, the man said Evans gave an account of what happened to the bodies, reportedly telling them: "What wasn't fed to the hogs was destroyed."

A search of the burn pile at the farm last fall led to discovery of a piece of bone. A spent shell casing found in the pile is believed to be from the weapon used in the killings.