MAY 27, 2022

Dale Mark Stikeleather, 64, is being held without bond and charged in connection with the murders of a Marion County couple earlier this month.  Stikeleather had resided at a home near the murder scene, but later located in Sugarland, Texas and questioned on May 16th by Arkansas State Police Special Agents.  He was subsequently charged in Marion County with theft of property and held in Texas.

Earlier this week Stikeleather waived extradition and was transported to Yellville (Marion County) by a prisoner transport service arranged by the Marion County Sheriff’s Department.  Once back in Arkansas, the charges were amended to include two counts of capital murder, aggravated residential burglary and felon in possession of a firearm.

Marion County sheriff’s deputies were contacted on May 11th and requested to check the welfare of Jeffrey and Kimberly Watson at 2386 Mallard Terrace south of Flippin.  Once inside the home, deputies discovered the bodies of the Watson’s.  Both had been shot and their truck was missing.

The sheriff’s department requested the Arkansas State Police to join in their investigation which is continuing.