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UPDATE: First-degree murder charge filed
Preliminary cause of death was strangulation
Arthur Gene McClard
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
By DEBBIE HALL - Bulletin Staff Writer
A man was charged Wednesday in the strangulation death of a Henry County woman, according to a release from the Henry County Sheriff’s Office.
Arthur Gene McClard, 37, was charged by the sheriff’s office with first-degree murder as well as robbery of Joyce Daily Mitchell, 74, the release stated.
Mitchell, 74, was found dead Monday in her home at 270 King Air Ave., Ridgeway.
The preliminary cause of death was determined to be strangulation, the release said.
In addition, it was determined that Mitchell’s pocketbook and cash were taken from the residence as well as her vehicle, the release stated.
That car, a 1998 maroon 4-door Chrysler Concorde, was abandoned on the Blue Ridge Parkway at mile marker 124, authorities have said.
McClard was taken into custody around 11 a.m. Wednesday in Roanoke by the Roanoke City Police Department, according to Henry County Sheriff Lane Perry.
McClard is being held in the Henry County Jail under no bond, the release stated.
This incident still is under investigation and authorities are seeking any information about this incident. Anyone who may have information is requested to contact the sheriff’s office at 638-8751
The Crimestoppers Program offers reward money up to $1,000 for information related to crime. The nature of the crime and the substance of the information provided determine the amount of the reward paid. Call Crimestoppers at 632-7463.
Following is the earlier story on this incident:
A man wanted for questioning in connection with a homicide in Henry County was picked up by Roanoke police today.
Arthur Gene McClard, 37, was picked up this morning in Roanoke by the Roanoke City Police Department, according to Henry County Sheriff Lane Perry.
County investigators were in Roanoke interviewing McClard this afternoon, Perry said.
McClard also was wanted on an outstanding warrant of larceny of a motor vehicle.
The warrant was issued after Joyce Daily Mitchell, 74, was found dead Monday in her home at 270 King Air Ave., Ridgeway.
Also found Monday was Mitchell’s 1998 maroon 4-door Chrysler Concorde. It was abandoned on the Blue Ridge Parkway at mile marker 124, authorities have said.
The vehicle had not been reported stolen, Perry has said.
See the earlier story below.
Check this website and Thursday’s Martinsville Bulletin for more coverage of this story.
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