On the evening of May 9, 2016, the life of 28-year-old John Thomas was cut short in Hayti, Missouri. Officers were called to 404 South 5th Street, where they discovered Thomas with a gunshot wound to the back of his head. The tragic event followed a heated argument between Thomas and his on-and-off girlfriend, Lisa Hooper. The dispute reportedly began after Thomas learned that Hooper had sent nude photographs of herself to another man.
According to investigators, Thomas had expressed
that his feelings for Hooper had changed and he wanted to end their relationship. As he was driving her back to her own vehicle, the conflict escalated with fatal consequences. Just past the intersection of 7th and Monroe, Hooper shot Thomas in the head. Initially, Hooper claimed the shooting was an accident, stating her gun had unintentionally discharged. However, the physical evidence at the scene did not support her version of events.
A crucial witness, Brandon Hamm, who was in the back seat of the vehicle, provided a differing account. Hamm told authorities he heard a loud noise and saw a flash, indicating an intentional act. His testimony, which aligned with the evidence, was pivotal in the investigation. Based on the witness statement and the collected evidence, Lisa Hooper was arrested for the death of John Thomas.
Following her arrest, the Pemiscot County Prosecuting Attorney charged Lisa Hooper with first-degree murder and armed criminal action. The case went to trial, and on April 28, 2017, a Butler County jury found her guilty of the charges brought against her. After the conviction, Hooper was jailed without bond. The investigation and prosecution involved the collaborative efforts of the Hayti Police Department, the Pemiscot County Sheriff’s Office, and the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
