Man charged with murder of Caruthersville resident

CARUTHERSVILLE, Mo -- A man is in custody following the murder of a 64-year-old Caruthersville resident.

Caruthersville police were called to Apartment 29 East Haven at 7 a.m. Saturday to investigate what the caller described as "an accident." When police met the caller, the person was accompanied by Don Cagle, 48, whose clothing and hands were covered with blood, according to a news release issued by police.

Entering the apartment, officers found the body of Henry Bell, 64, laying on the floor of the bedroom.

City Marshal Chris Riggs stated the victim showed evidence of a "brutal attack. Officers also noticed other very apparent evidence around the body of the victim which indicated this to be the scene of a homicide."

Cagle was taken into custody and taken to the Pemiscot County Jail, where he was later questioned by investigators. He was charged Saturday with first degree murder.

According to Riggs, the scene was secured and assistance in the investigation was sought from the Missouri State Highway Patrol's Division of Drug and Crime Control.

Officers determined Bell, who resided in Apartment 1 East Haven, had been dead for several hours.

An autopsy was conducted Sunday at the Mineral Area Medical Center in Farmington, Mo. "The cause of death was determined to be death from blunt force trauma to the head," Riggs stated. "Weapons alleged to have been used by the suspect in the murder were a hammer and a knife, of which both were recovered at the scene of the crime by investigators."

Officials said no motive was established at this time for the murder and the investigation is continuing.

Cagle is to be arraigned today on the murder charge in Division II of Pemiscot County Circuit Court before Judge Byron Luber. Currently Cagle is being held without bond. Riggs noted charges of armed criminal action are expected to be filed at a later date.

Assisting Caruthersville police in the investigation in addition to the Highway Patrol were the Pemiscot County Sheriff's Department, Pemiscot County Coroner Jim Brimhall and the Caruthersville Housing Authority.