Region briefs 10/1/04

Skull found by hunters in Dunklin County

KENNETT, Mo. -- Authorities from Missouri and Arkansas are excavating a site in the Red Onion area of Dunklin County after some hunters found a human skull there. The identity of the skull has not been determined, said Dunklin County Sheriff Bob Holder. Dunklin County Coroner Jack Adkins has taken possession of the skull and that the investigation is continuing. Records of missing persons in Arkansas and Missouri are being reviewed by the investigating agencies in an attempt to learn the identity of the remains.

Woman sent to prison for shooting husband

KENNETT, Mo. -- A Bragg City woman has been sent to prison for the shooting death of her husband. Stephanie Renee Abbott was sentenced to 10 years in the Missouri Division of Adult Institutions. She appeared before Judge Fred Copeland in New Madrid County Circuit Court Tuesday. When Pemiscot County sheriff's officers were summoned to the Abbott residence Feb. 7, they found Gregory Allen shot in a bedroom. Stephanie Renee Abbott at first told investigators that she had shot her husband by accident with a 20-gauge shotgun. But further investigation led to her arrest for murder in connection with the fatal shooting.

Identity theft scam preys on potential voters

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Some Missouri residents have received phone calls in which someone who claims to be fixing errors in voter rolls seeks personal information, including Social Security numbers and birth dates, the secretary of state's office said Thursday. Secretary of State Matt Blunt said there is a potential for identity theft from people preying on others' fears of not being able to vote in November. He warned Missourians who receive such calls not to share personal information, but to instead call law enforcement and their local election officials.