Police seek suspect in death of Southwest Arkansas woman

UMPIRE, Ark. — The Arkansas State Police and Howard County Sheriff’s Office are seeking a suspect in the homicide of a local woman.

Howard County Sheriff’s Deputies discovered the body of Betty Renee Burgess, 50, inside a residence at 108 Highway 246 in Umpire shortly after 8:30 a.m. Friday, according to a news release from the Arkansas State Police.

Witnesses told law enforcement officers they saw a Nashville, Arkansas, man armed with a shotgun at the backdoor of the home before deputies later found Burgess dead.

Her body has been taken to the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory where a manner and cause of death will be determined.

The suspect was last seen driving away from the residence in an orange or yellow color 2008 Ford Ranger displaying Arkansas license plate 200 UVJ.

The state police Criminal Investigation Division is coordinating the crime scene investigation while Highway Patrol ground and air troopers are among the law enforcement officers looking for a man wanted for questioning.