With a crime scene in two cities that are 100 miles apart, Sulphur Springs Police Chief Jay Sanders said his department is busy as they continue investigation into the murder of a 34-year old Fort Worth woman whose body was found in an undeveloped area off Highway 67W in Sulphur Springs. Fort Worth Police and Sulphur Spring Police are working together to sort out evidence from a crime scene in Fort Worth and the discovery of the body in Sulphur Springs. The woman’s name had not been released a mid-morning Tuesday awaiting word from Fort Worth that her family had been contacted. Lucious Newhouse III, 54 of Fort Worth was arrested at the scene and is in Hopkins County Jail charged with Felony 1 Murder and is being held on a $1-million bond.
The first call to SSPD came at 7:30 a.m. Sunday morning, according to Sanders. He said that someone reported an accident on Main Street. However, the vehicle was found in a ravine in the field near where Newhouse had dumped the body. Newhouse had become disoriented as he attempted to flee the scene in his vehicle and drove into the ravine. He was in his auto when officers arrived. Sanders said the auto has been sent to a crime lab. Sanders said his department and the Fort Worth Police are working with the Texas Ranger in the homicide investigation.
Justice of the Peace B. J. Teer pronounced the woman dead at the scene Sunday as Sulphur Springs Police Detectives, Hopkins County Sheriff’s Investigators, DPS Troopers, and the Texas Ranger began their investigation locally that revealed evidence that led to the murder warrant for Newhouse.
Through the investigation that involved Fort Worth law enforcement, the crime scene was discovered to be in Fort Worth. According to Hopkins County Sheriff Lewis Tatum, law enforcement and the District Attorney offices, both local and in Fort Worth, are currently determining where the eventual charges will be filed and prosecution will take place.
Tatum
commended the work of SSPD Investigator Rusty Stillwagoner, who led the
investigation, the Texas Ranger, DPS Troopers, and members of the county CID in
the investigation.
