Aiexpress – Authorities have announced the arrest of three men in connection with the 1989 murder of a woman in Missouri. The breakthrough came after a tip was provided over thirty years after the tragic incident.
Kelle Ann Workman was reported missing on June 30, 1989, in Douglas County, and her body was discovered eight days later in a national forest in neighboring Christian County, Douglas County officials revealed at a news conference on Wednesday.
Bobby Banks, Leonard Banks, and Wiley Belt have all been detained and charged with first-degree murder, kidnapping, and rape in connection with the case, according to investigators.
The arrests came after a person “in the last couple of months” provided law enforcement with information linking the suspects to Workman’s death, Douglas County Prosecuting Attorney Matt Weatherman said. Authorities claimed the tipster was not a person of interest in the case.
“There was a person that came forward after almost 30 years of holding this inside” and then “finally told us the last piece we needed to slide it all together,” Weatherman went on to say.
The three males had been on the police’s radar in connection with the cold case for some time, Douglas County Sheriff Chris Degase said Wednesday.
The defendants were arraigned and are being held on a $250,000 cash bond each, according to Weatherman. Court records show that all three are scheduled for a hearing on March 5.
CNN has reached out to Belt and Leonard Banks’ legal representation for comment. It is currently unknown if Bobby Banks has legal representation.
The authorities have not disclosed any details regarding the tipster who came forward or the information that was shared.
“We will be presenting live witnesses,” Weatherman expressed confidently. “These witnesses will testify about their firsthand knowledge, observations, and opinions, allowing the jury to assess and determine the truth.”
According to officials, Workman’s family expressed relief and conveyed to law enforcement that they had never anticipated this day.
Degase expressed his belief that they can provide justice for Kelle and bring closure to her family.
