Relative arrested in deaths of central Missouri couple

FULTON, Mo. -- A central Missouri man has been charged in the Christmas Eve killings of his cousin and her husband, Callaway County prosecutors said Wednesday.

Brian Joseph Dorsey, 34, of Jefferson City, was charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of his cousin Sarah Bonnie, 25, and her husband, Benjamin Bonnie, 28, according to court records. Their bodies were found Sunday afternoon at their New Bloomfield home, according to the Callaway County Sheriff's Department.

The couple was killed by shotgun blasts to the head, Boone County Medical Examiner Eddie Adelstein said Wednesday.

The couple's 4-year-old daughter was also found at the home, police said, but was not hurt and is in now in the care of relatives. The couple's vehicle also had been missing until Tuesday.

Relatives said they became concerned after the couple did not come to a holiday gathering Sunday.

The Bonnies grew up in Knoxville, Iowa, according to friends.

Police arrested Dorsey on Tuesday, shortly after he arrived at the Callaway County Sheriff's Department to be question about the killings, Mid-Missouri Major Case Squad spokesman Sgt. Jason Clark said. Police originally called Dorsey one of two "persons of interest" in the case.

Dorsey was being held on $750,000 bond.