In the quiet, remote area of Shady Grove Road, about 10 miles southeast of Marshall, Arkansas, a grim discovery was made on July 22, 2025. Mona Sloop, a 69-year-old female who lived alone, was found deceased in the driveway of her Leslie home. The Searcy County Sheriff's Office was called to the scene, and it soon became apparent that this was not a death of natural causes. Her body was sent to the Arkansas State Crime Lab in Little Rock to determine the cause of death, which was later confirmed to be a single gunshot wound.
The death was quickly ruled a homicide, the first of the year in Searcy County, prompting a joint investigation between the Searcy County Sheriff's Office and the Arkansas State Police Criminal Investigation Division. Initially, investigators had no motive for the killing. As the investigation progressed, a reward was offered for any information that could lead to an arrest in the case. Law enforcement officials assured the community that they believed it to be an isolated incident and that there was no reason for residents to be alarmed.
After a two-month-long investigation that involved the 20th Judicial District Drug Crimes Task Force, a suspect emerged. The trail led investigators to DeLand, Florida. Arkansas State Police special agents traveled to Florida with Searcy County investigators to gather evidence. On October 1, 2025, an arrest was made. Mark R. Brown, the 68-year-old brother of Mona Sloop, was taken into custody by the Volusia County Sheriff's Office. He has been charged with capital murder in connection with his sister's death. Brown was booked into the Volusia County Detention Center, where he awaits extradition to Arkansas. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities have indicated that additional arrests are possible.
