Suspect faces four counts of capital murder
Travis arraigned in slayings of two adults, two children
MENA, Ark.—Brian Bliss Travis, 37, has been arraigned in Polk County Circuit County on four counts of capital murder in the deaths of two children and two adults.
Polk County Circuit Court Judge Jerry Ryan ordered Travis held without bond on the capital murder charges. Travis is accused of killing Acelynn C. Wester, 2, Reilly James Scarbrough, 9, Bethany Jo Wester, 43, and Steven J. Payne, 66.
Travis was also arraigned Monday on an unrelated charge of furnishing/possessing/or using prohibited articles.
Travis was arrested on drug charges last week, shortly after Bethany Jo Wester’s body was found April 25 in a creek near Cove, Ark. Investigators believe he had been a boyfriend of Bethany Jo Wester. He was not related to either child.
On Thursday, Payne’s body was found in Hatfield. He was Bethany Wester’s uncle.
Law enforcement from all over the area launched a search for the two missing children who had not been seen April 22.
However, the body of Acelynn Wester, was found Friday in the woods near Cove where her mother had been found.
Reilly’s body was found Saturday in a heavily wooded area near Hatfield.
Polk County Sheriff Scott Sawyer said Travis gave investigators information that helped them find Reilly’s body.
Sawyer said Travis has “bounced around” Polk County and may have lived with Bethany Wester for a while.
He expressed appreciation for all the assistance during the search and investigation.
Arkansas State Police, Mena Police Department, FBI, Arkansas Game and Fish, Arkansas State Parks authorities, U.S. Forest Service, Montgomery County Sheriff ’s Office and Grannis Police Department all assisted in the search.
“It’s been a rough week and we pray for the families,” Sawyer said.