AUGUST 24, 2022

Maurice Anthony Richardson, 60, of Fort Smith, was charged today with first degree murder in connection with the death of Tonia Tram Tran.

Special Agents of the Arkansas State Police served the arrest warrant on Richardson at the Sebastian County Jail.  State police arrested Richardson on Saturday (August 20th) on theft charges related to the homicide.

Copies of the dated news releases related to Tran’s case follow:  

FRANKLIN COUNTY BODY FOUND EARLIER THIS MONTH IDENTIFIED

AUGUST 21, 2022

The body of a woman found August 10th south of Interstate 40 along Arkansas Highway 186 has been identified

Tonia Tram Tran, 53, sustained multiple injuries and her body left on an abandoned driveway north of Altus (Franklin County).  She had moved to Fort Smith earlier this year and previously resided in Garden Grove, California.

The state police investigation remains active as special agents continue to follow leads in the case.

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VICTIM OF APPARENT HOMICIDE DISCOVERED
IN FRANKLIN COUNTY, IDENTIFICATION UNKNOWN

AUGUST 10, 2022

Franklin County sheriff’s deputies received a report about 6:30 AM today of body laying near Arkansas Highway 186, south of Interstate 40 near Altus.

The sheriff’s department has asked the Arkansas State Police to lead the investigation.

As of Wednesday afternoon, the identity of the female victim is unknown and her body has been transported to the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory to determine the manner and cause of death.

Special Agents of the state police Criminal Investigation Division are treating the case as a homicide.

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