Ark. woman allegedly killed friend, wrapped barbed wire around his neck, and tried to burn his body
06/08/2023 12:18 pm PDT
FULTON COUNTY, Ark. (TCD) -- A 30-year-old woman was arrested for allegedly shooting and killing a man, trying to burn the remains, and dumping his body in front of someone’s front gate.
According to a probable cause affidavit, on June 1 at around 9 a.m., Dennis Berry called the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office to report there was a body in front of his gate on Briarwood Road. Fulton County Sheriff Jake Smith and Lt. William Fawcett went to the home and found David Southerland with "at least one wound" on his back and severe head wounds. The affidavit says Southerland also had a piece of barbed wire around his neck and "an attempt was made to burn his body."
Investigators collected pieces of evidence at the scene, including a "partial can of lighter fluid."
Berry told investigators Stacie Hickman was at his house May 30 and borrowed his Ford Ranger. She reportedly asked David Southerland to follow her in his Dodge Caliber. The affidavit says Hickman and Southerland "had been around each other a lot and were friends."
Soon after investigators found Southerland’s body, his car was reported stolen.
Hickman reportedly returned Berry’s Ford on May 31, but on June 2, a Salem Police Department officer saw Hickman inside Southerland’s car. The officer arrested her for theft by receiving.
In an interview with investigators, Hickman reportedly confessed to fatally shooting Southerland and burning his body. She allegedly used a rifle that investigators found inside Berry’s car.
According to the affidavit, Hickman "stated during the interview that David was trying to get some land that she was supposed to get."
On May 31, she texted her father, writing, "Hey it’s on the property... have a little issue but I have it taken care of via our loyalty to the land and Convo didn’t go well but umm let them know I’ll be there shortly. I’m fixing to pull in."
She was arrested on charges of first-degree murder, felony with a firearm, and abuse of a corpse.
KYTV-TV reports Hickman was booked into the Fulton County Jail and is being held on $1 million bail.
MORE:
TRUE CRIME DAILY: THE PODCAST covers high-profile and under-the-radar cases every week. Subscribe to our YouTube page for podcasts, exclusive videos, and more, and don’t forget to follow us on TikTok.
