Worst fears confirmed
Ross found dead; granddaughter arrested
A family is in mourning. An elderly lady is dead. Her granddaughter is in jail in connection with the death.
On Wedneday, May 16, Ruby Ross, 81, was found dead in her bed by her daughter, Deanna Leann Ross.
On Monday, May 21, Benton County Sheriff Shawn Holloway announced the arrest of Andrea Lea Wilson, 26, of Bentonville, in connection with the murder of her grandmother,
Ruby Ross.
Wilson was booked at 2 p.m. Monday into the Benton County Jail. She was arrested in connection with capital murder; there is no bond set. Prosecutors have not filed a formal charge against Wilson.
Accustomed to talking to her mother by telephone every day, Leann Ross was concerned when she couldn’t reach her Wednesday, May 16, so she called the Benton County Sheriff’s Office for a welfare check. The Ruby Ross residence, on Blue Jay Road, is just outside the Pea Ridge city limits and falls in the county’s law enforcement jurisdiction.
Pea Ridge Police were asked to respond until deputies could arrive as the Benton County Central Communications dispatcher said it sounded as though there was a disturbance at the residence, according to a Pea Ridge Police Department report.
When police arrived shortly after 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 16, they found Deanna Leann Ross and a man standing on the front porch. There was no disturbance, Ross just explained she was “upset” when she found her mother’s body inside. She told police that she had asked for a welfare check and the deputy that initially checked did not get an answer at the door and left. So, she went to the residence and found her mother in bed with “blood spatter on the headboard of the bed,” according to the police report.
Pea Ridge Police secured the residence until the arrival of deputies.
The younger Ross told police her niece had been at the residence Tuesday evening and would probably have been the last person to see her alive, according to the police report.
Wilson’s bond hearing is scheduled for 8 a.m. Wednesday in Circuit Judge Robin Green’s courtroom.
Benton County Prosecutor Nathan Smith said the medical examiner determined that Wilson’s death was caused by blunt force trauma to her head.
“We were able to develop some leads on this case and today made an arrest of the granddaughter — Andrea Wilson,” Holloway said Monday.
Sheriff ’s detectives questioned Wilson, but Holloway said he could not comment on what she told detectives during the interview.
There was a camera mounted on Ross’ house, but Holloway said he believes it was a “dummy camera” and it did not capture any evidence.
Holloway said his detectives
are continuing the investigation and everyone is presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law.
Smith said the charge of capital murder carries two possible punishments: life imprisonment without the benefit of parole or the death penalty.
“Obviously, those decisions will be made down the road once all the facts and evidence becomes clear in this case,” he said.