Police looking for answers in Hartford murder

January 28, 2011|Kristin Bien, WSBT-TV

HARTFORD — After days of searching, the investigation into the disappearance of a Michigan mother comes to a heartbreaking end. Her body and the body of another woman were found buried in rural Hartford.

Junior Lee Beebe, 34, of Bangor was arraigned Friday on two counts of open murder and two counts of possession of a firearm during a felony. He was ordered held without bond.

An investigator in the case told the judge that Beebe has admitted he shot at least one of the women.

Roy Moore is still in shock at what happened to his neighbor, Amy Lee Henslee. She went missing on Monday. Then on Thursday– a major break in the case. Police searched the area and police dogs picked up the scent. They found blood and eventually two buried bodies.

“The investigation that began with the disappearance of Amy Henslee has culminated with the discovery of her body and also the body of Tonya Howarth,” said Juris Kaps, Van Buren County prosecutor.

The women died of multiple gunshot wounds.

“She was a mother, she was the daughter I never had,” said Wendy Boyd, a family friend. “She will always hold a special place in my heart.”

Beebe has a criminal record and his family says he has a temper. An investigator told the judge Friday morning that Beebe confessed to killing at least one of the women with a shotgun.

“Through that interview, he gave information that he had been involved in the murder involving one of the victims,” said Lt. Bill Lux with the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Department.

This news shocked Don Tanner, who lives less than a football field away from where the murders took place.

“We were probably just sitting in the house enjoying life and they were in there killing people,” said Tanner. “It’s just hard to believe, isn’t it? Very hard to understand.”

Police haven't speculated as to a motive in this case. But they did say that they believe Amy Henslee went willingly with Beebe on Monday morning.

LINK: See Beebe's criminal record

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