In early February 2024, a welfare check in Greene County, Arkansas, led to the tragic discovery of 51-year-old Rebecca M. Edwards and a man, ending a search that began after friends and family grew concerned. Rebecca, a White female, had not been heard from for several days, prompting a friend to contact emergency services on the morning of February 5th. This initiated a response from the Greene County Sheriff's Department, sending a deputy to a residence in the Paragould area.
Upon arrival at the home of Dewayne 'Matt' Parnell, the 49-year-old on-again, off-again boyfriend of Rebecca, the deputy found both of their vehicles parked outside. After receiving no answer at the door or by phone, the deputy's concern grew. A look through a window revealed a body lying on the floor, prompting a lawful entry into the residence to investigate the grim scene.
Inside, authorities found both Rebecca Edwards and Dewayne Parnell deceased from gunshot wounds. The subsequent investigation by the Greene County Sheriff's Department pointed towards a murder-suicide. Preliminary autopsy results later confirmed the authorities' initial assessment. The findings revealed that Rebecca had sustained two gunshot wounds, one to her head and another to her chest. Dewayne Parnell was found to have a single, self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. The case remains open pending the final autopsy results, but the initial evidence strongly suggests Parnell was the sole suspect in Rebecca's death before taking his own life.
