Mo. man accused of killing girlfriend who was found concealed with blanket, trash bags
05/22/2023 11:25 am PDT
BENTON COUNTY, Mo. (TCD) -- Deputies arrested a 54-year-old man on suspicion of killing his 57-year-old girlfriend, who was reportedly shot and bludgeoned.
According to a news release from the Benton County Sheriff’s Office, on Thursday, May 18, at approximately 9:04 p.m., deputies responded to 11504 Del Vista Drive in a rural area of Warsaw, Missouri. Two women had reportedly forced entry into the home because their friend had been missing since Monday, May 15.
The Sheriff’s Office said the two women found a "body concealed with a blanket and trash bags" and blood all over the home.
Upon their arrival, the Sheriff’s Office located Lori Finlay’s body, and detectives called the scene "horrific in nature."
The medical examiner’s office said in an autopsy report that Finlay had been shot multiple times in the head and neck as well as bludgeoned in the upper body, head, and neck.
The home reportedly belongs to Robert Peterson, the victim’s alleged boyfriend. Benton County Sheriff Eric Knox told KY3-TV that their relationship is still under investigation and that Peterson has a history of domestic violence.
Deputies arrested Peterson, and he was booked into the Benton County Jail on charges of third-degree assault, first-degree murder, tampering with physical evidence, and abandonment of a corpse. The Sheriff’s Office said Peterson remains held without bond and further charges are possible.
In a statement, Knox reportedly said, "It’s a very fresh, ongoing, very heinous crime. And it’s going to take a little bit to get through it, but he is in custody, and he’s not going anywhere."
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