Pregnant woman missing, cell phone discarded in ditch

BENTON COUNTY, Ark. — Ashley Bush, 33, has gone missing in NWARK. She was last seen traveling north on Hwy 43. Sources tell Joplin News First they are focusing on Southern Missouri and Northern Arkansas.

“Ashley Bush was last seen in the passenger seat of and older model tan pickup truck on the afternoon of October 31, 2022 at the intersection of Hwy 72 and Hwy 43 in Maysville, Ark.”

BENTON COUNTY ARK. SHERIFF

USE TWO FINGERS TO NAVIGATE MAP, MAYESVILLE, ARK. HANDI-STOP IS 45 MILES SOUTH OF JOPLIN, MO.

The driver was a white woman in her 40’s with shoulder length brown hair who stated her name was “Lucy”.

  • MISSING ASHLEY BUSH
  • W/F
  • D.O.B. 08/01/89 (33)
  • 5’7″ 210#
  • red hair and blue eyes
  • 31 weeks pregnant

The Benton County Sheriff’s office say Ashley met “Lucy” online when she was looking for a job working from home. Lucy picked her up Monday morning at the Handi-Mart in Maysville to take her to a job interview in Bentonville.

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At approximately 3:00 pm, Ashley texted her fiancé to say she was in Gravette, on her way to Handi-Mart, so he could pick her up. Lucy and Ashley arrived at the intersection near Handi-Mart, turned north onto Hwy 43 and continued north. She has not been seen or heard from since.

Her fiancé says her phone was found discarded in a ditch.

She was last seen wearing:

  • black hoodie
  • blue jeans
  • black slip-on shoes

If you see Ashley, call 911. If you have any information call BCSO, Detective Susan Matthews at 479.271.1008 ext. 3639

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FBI offer $30,000 reward to locate missing man, connected to Southwest Missouri

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — The FBI is offering a reward up to $30,000 for a missing man with connections to Southwest Missouri. Some of the man’s belongings were recovered in Eagle Rock, Mo. in Barry County.

FBI Little Rock is seeking information regarding the disappearance of Jason Lierl. He was last seen in Madison County, Arkansas on January 25, 2022.” — @FBILITTLEROCK

He was last seen between the area of Capps Ranches Road in Benton County, Arkansas, and County Road 1101 in Madison County, Arkansas, in January of 2022.

After Leirl’s disappearance, some of his belongings were recovered by law enforcement in the following locations:

  • Fayetteville, Arkansas
  • Benton County, Arkansas
  • Madison County, Arkansas
  • Eagle Rock, Barry County, Missouri

GOOGLE MAPS: He was last seen between the area of Capps Ranches Road in Benton County, Arkansas, and County Road 1101 in Madison County, Arkansas, in January of 2022.

Madison County Arkansas investigators say his vehicle was discovered parked at the Northwest Arkansas Mall in Fayetteville in February of 2022. His motorcycle was found parked near a friends house in another town. You can submit tips online here 👉🏼TIPS.FBI.GOV

“We are offering a reward of up to $30,000 for information leading to the location and recovery of Jason Lierl.”

Click here for the NAMUS registry which includes additional photos and details.

  • DESCRIPTION: Jason Lierl, 42
  • HAIR: brown
  • EYES: blue
  • HEIGHT: 5’6”
  • WEIGHT: 160#
  • SCARS/MARKS: Lierl has a tattoo of the words “cross 1-11-12” on his left forearm and a tattoo of an iron cross on the side of his right bicep.

This is a breaking news story. Stay with Joplin News First on KOAM News Now as we continue to learn more. Scroll below and sign up for our JLNews email list so you don’t miss an article.

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Crash in Gravette, Ark. results in car fire

GRAVETTE, Ark. — The Gravette, Arkansas Fire Dept were dispatched to reports of a vehicle crash along Hwy 72 in Benton County on Saturday.

The collision resulted in a car fire.

As Gravette Fire arrived one vehicle was still in the roadway and fully engulfed in fire.

“Station 23 responded and thankfully there were only minor injuries to the driver,” Gravette Fire state in a release of information.

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Beaver Lake swim beaches close due to E. coli levels and debris

BENTON COUNTY, Ark. — According to a release from the US Army Corps of Engineers at Little Rock, several swim beaches at Beaver Lake have been closed due to a combination of:

  • high E. coli levels
  • submerged debris and obstacles.

The following swim areas are closed until further notice:
Dam Site Lake Campground
Dam Site Lake Day Use Area
Indian Creek
Lost Bridge North
Prairie Creek
War Eagle
Hickory Creek
Horseshoe Bend Day Use
Lost Bridge South.

These swim areas will re-open after USACE receives follow on testing that shows the water is safe and water levels have receded enough to allow for the cleaning of debris from the beach areas. Both of these steps ensure the safety of our guests and staff.” — USACE

They apologize for any inconvenience this may cause those looking to enjoy time at the lake this weekend.

For more information visit their website.

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Rogers Police officer shoots man at Souls Harbor NWA treatment center during reported attack

ROGERS, Ark. – Monday afternoon reports in NWA of a Rogers Police officer shooting a man at a treatment center.  The man, David Liles, 53, later died at Mercy Hospital Northwest Arkansas.  Preliminary information say Liles was holding two knives when he charged at the officer.

Arkansas State Police are investigating as an outside agency, uninvolved party, on the use of deadly force by the Rogers Police officer.

About 2:15 PM two Rogers police officers were dispatched to Souls Harbor at 1206 North 2nd Street where staff at the substance abuse treatment facility reported Liles was armed with a weapon.  On their arrival at the treatment center, one of the officers found Liles between two buildings.  According to witnesses, Liles, who was holding the knives, ran toward the officer who then shot Liles.” – Arkansas State Police

Investigators have transported the body to the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory for analysis.  After the investigation is complete the state police CID (Criminal Investigation Division) will present findings to the Benton County prosecuting attorney who will decide whether the use of deadly force by the officer was consistent with Arkansas laws.

The identity of the Rogers Police officer who fired his duty weapon has not been released.  Neither officer were injured in the incident.

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