Suicide suspected in state park death

Officials identified the dead woman found Monday night at Devil’s Den State Park as Monica Murphy, 28, from Springdale.

The coroner’s office was notified at 8:18 p.m. that a person had fallen from the Yellow Rock Overlook, Washington County Coroner Roger Morris said Monday night.

Officers with the Washington County sheriff’s office criminal investigation division handled the case. The preliminary investigation indicates that it was a case of suicide, spokesman Kelly Cantrell said Tuesday.

Emergency responders had to work in through difficult terrain to reach the body, Cantrell said.

Personnel with the Devil’s Den park, Urban Search and Rescue, Central Emergency Medical Services and Strickler Fire Department assisted in the search.

The body was recovered about 11 p.m. and was sent to the state Crime Laboratory to confirm cause of death, Cantrell said.

Meanwhile, Rodney Letterman, 33, of Bartlesville, Okla., is still missing after he was last seen hiking Aug. 27 along Devil’s Den park’s Butterfield Trail. He had been hiking with a friend when they became separated.

Authorities and rescue teams called off active searches for Letterman at the beginning of September, but the missing person case on him is still open, Cantrell said. Anyone with information is asked to contact the sheriff’s office, Cantrell said.

Tim Scott, park assistant superintendent, said Letterman’s photo is still being handed out to hikers in the park, specifically along the Butterfield Trail.

“This time of year, there will be more people enjoying the outdoors with the cool weather and hunting season. Maybe something will turn up this fall,” he said.