In the quiet town of Lebanon, Missouri, the life of 52-year-old Brenda Sue Rogers was tragically cut short on the evening of Friday, August 13, 2021. A white female, Brenda was a daughter, wife, mother, and grandmother who had moved to Lebanon from the St. Louis area in the late 1970s and attended local schools. She was known by loved ones as a person who loved Jesus and was always willing to lend a helping hand.
Her enjoyments in life were simple and included fishing and attending classic rock concerts. Over the years, she had been a dedicated homemaker and had also worked for several local companies, including the H.D. Lee Company and Copeland Corporation.
On that fateful August evening, at approximately 6:37 PM, the Lebanon Police Department was dispatched to a residence in the 500 block of Polk Street after receiving a report of shots being fired inside. Upon their arrival, officers discovered Brenda Rogers deceased inside the home. She had sustained a gunshot wound to her head. The investigation into her death was a collaborative effort between the Lebanon Police Department and the Missouri State Highway Patrol Division of Drug and Crime Control. Authorities quickly determined that it was a homicide.
The investigation swiftly led to a suspect, 61-year-old Mark Tampow, who was identified as Brenda's live-in boyfriend. According to reports from family and friends, the couple's relationship was tumultuous, and they 'fought constantly.' It was also alleged that Tampow had threatened Brenda with a knife just the day before her death. Mark Tampow was arrested and charged with first-degree murder and felony armed criminal action in connection with Brenda Rogers' death. He was taken to the Laclede County Jail, where his bond was set at $100,000, cash or surety. Tampow later posted bond and was released from jail.
