Man charged after decomposing, partially frozen body found next door to his home
01/27/2026 8:00 pm PST
ST. LOUIS (TCN) -- A man has been charged custody in connection with a body found next door to his home.
KMOV reports that on Jan. 19, police were called to a home where a body had been discovered. Responding officers found a woman’s body on a metal door, which investigators believe might have been used for transport.
Her remains were nearly frozen because of the cold weather, and blood had pooled under her head. She had reportedly begun to decompose prior to freezing, according to KMOV.
The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department identified the victim as Lindsay Smith, 40. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
An autopsy determined Smith died from a gunshot wound to the head. An investigation found that on Jan. 3, Smith had been texting a man who lived in the basement next door to the home where her body was found, KMOV reports.
In the texts, Smith reportedly told 54-year-old Ephron Tony Long she did not feel safe at his house and wanted him to drop her off where he had picked her up. No additional texts or calls were found on Smith’s phone after Jan. 3.
According to Law & Crime, investigators interviewed a witness who reportedly heard a woman and man arguing in Long’s basement apartment followed by a single gunshot a few days before Smith’s body was found. Outside the home, investigators found blood spatter on the entryway and on the railing leading down to his door.
On Jan. 23, Long allegedly attempted to flee in a vehicle while being surveilled by investigators, KMOV reports. He allegedly ran a red light and violated several traffic laws during the chase. Police reportedly used spike strips to stop him and he was taken into custody and charged with one count of first-degree murder, armed criminal action, and resisting arrest.
Long allegedly told authorities he had never seen Smith before, KMOV reports, but he allegedly changed his story after being shown evidence.
Long remains held on bond. His next court appearance has not yet been scheduled.
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