Man arrested after woman's body discovered in Mississippi County

CHARLESTON, Mo. -- A former Charleston resident was in custody just hours after the discovery of a body Sunday night in Mississippi County.

Clifford Ray Williams, 45, of Ullin, Illinois, was taken into custody shortly after the body of a missing Illinois woman was discovered Sunday evening near Moore's Landing, in northern Mississippi County.

Mississippi County Sheriff Keith Moore reported that the victim's identity and the cause of death are being withheld pending the results of an autopsy and coroner's report by Mississippi County Coroner Terry Parker.

The Illinois State Police asked for the public's help Saturday in finding Williams' wife, Sylvia Tipler of Kentucky, who was believed to have been kidnapped. Tipler was last seen with Williams on Oct. 8 in Ullin.

He is being held at the Mississippi County Detention Center.