The suspect in the apparent murder of a 25-year-old Arkansas woman appeared in court on Monday for a probable cause hearing, where an investigator testified to the particularly chilling nature of the violent crime.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, authorities found the body of Sydney Sutherland on Friday, two days after she was reported missing. The Jackson County woman had left home Wednesday afternoon to go jogging, and didn’t return.
On the same day that Sutherland was found dead, Jackson County Sheriff David Lucas announced that a suspect had been taken into custody. The suspect has since been identified as Quake Lewellyn, a member of a well-known local farming family who the police chief said was familiar to the victim.
As reported by KARK 4 News, a prosecutor said at Monday’s hearing that Llewellyn is facing charges of kidnapping, rape, and capital murder.
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According to a Twitter post from KARK 4 News reporter Mitchell McCoy, who was in the courtroom, an Arkansas State Police agent testified that Llewellyn saw Sutherland as he was driving on Country Road 41, and turned around to pursue her. The suspect allegedly kidnapped the victim, put her in the back of his pickup truck, and sexually assaulted her.
ASP Special Agent: Quake Lewellyn was traveling westbound on County Road 41, observed #SydneySutherland walking and passed-by. He turned around and returned to her location, abducted her, put her in back of his pick-up truck and sexually assaulted her. #ARNews
— Mitchell McCoy (@MitchellMcCoy) August 24, 2020
It does not appear that any witnesses testified as to a possible cause of death or motive for the murder.
According to the reporter, Llewellyn is being held without bail and is due back in court on October 1.
This is a developing story. CrimeOnline will provide further updates when more information is available.
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