MARCH 5, 2022

  A Hazen couple and their daughter died last night [Friday, March 4th] following a shooting incident outside a residence at 604 U.S. Highway 63.  A Carlisle man has been taken into custody and charged with murder.

  The Arkansas State Police was requested by Hazen authorities to lead the criminal investigation.

   The victims have been identified as Amanda Turner, 62, her husband, James Turner, 64, both of Hazen and the couple’s daughter, Mirranda Munnerlyn, 46, of Carlisle.

   Hazen police officers were dispatched to the residence at 9:39 PM.  While responding to the call, officers were alerted to a suspect reported to be traveling in a pick-up truck along U.S. Highway 63.  Local officers spotted the vehicle and arrested the driver Michael Munnerlyn, 50, of Carlisle, Mirranda Munnerlyn’s husband.

   Overnight, special agents of the state police Criminal Investigation Division continued to collect evidence from the crime scene and interview individuals familiar with the family and circumstances leading up to the shooting.  The bodies of the three victims will be examined at the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory to confirm the manner and cause of death.  A criminal case file prepared by the state police will be turned over to the Prairie County prosecuting attorney.