Officer Chris Rankin

Public Information Officer

903-798-3187 (office) 903-260-0294 (pager)

903-824-4199 (cell) 903-798-3023 (fax)

Texarkana Arkansas Police Badge

Re: Murder Investigation

Texarkana Arkansas Police have one suspect in custody in connection with a murder investigation. Acting on information that was obtained during interviews with possible witnesses, detectives responded to a wooded area behind the residence of Lawrence Villa, near the intersection of Tennessee Rd. and Genoa Rd.

It was at this location that detectves located a body that is believed to be Cheryl Renee Parker (w/f/41y.o.a. Texarkana, AR). The body was located in a creek which is surrounded by thick brush and other vegitation. The body was badly decomposed and was sent to the Arkansas State Crime Lab for identification. Detectives are awaiting official word from the crime lab as to the identity of the body. The cause of death has not been determined at this time.

This investigation began on February 6, 2006 when Parker was reported as a missing person by several acquaintances. Although the victim had been reported missingon 2/6/06 the victim had not been seen or heard from by friends since November 24, 2005. After receiving the missing person report, police began interviewing friends and relatives of the victim.

During the course of the investigation detectives developed information that led them to suspect that Lawrence Villa (b/m/27y.o.a. Texarkana, AR) might have harmed the victim. Lawrence Villa was questioned and evidence was obtained which linked him to the crime scene that was discovered behind his house.

After the recovery of the body, Lawrence Villa was arrested by detectives at approximately 9:00pm on 2/22/06. He has been booked into the Bi-State Justice Center Jail and is charged with 1st Degree Murder. This is a class A Felony which carries a possible penalty of 10 to 40 years in prison. No bond has been set at this time.

The investigation is still ongoing at this time.

Thank you and you can visit the Texarkana Arkansas Police Department online at http://www.txkusa.org/arkpolice.