On the evening of March 4, 2022, a quiet night in Hazen, Arkansas, was shattered by a violent incident that claimed the lives of three family members. Among the victims was 62-year-old Ada Turner, a white female, who was found deceased outside her residence on U.S. Highway 63. The tranquil country setting became a scene of profound loss and a swift-moving investigation.
The Hazen Police Department received a call about a shooting at the Turner home at 9:39 p.m. While officers were en route, they received a description of a suspect's vehicle, a pickup truck seen leaving the area. This crucial piece of information led to a quick apprehension. Officers located the vehicle and arrested 50-year-old Michael Munnerlyn of Carlisle.
The investigation, led by the Arkansas State Police Criminal Investigation Division, soon revealed the devastating scope of the tragedy. Along with Ada Turner, her 64-year-old husband, James Turner, and their 46-year-old daughter, Mirranda Munnerlyn, were also found dead at the scene. It was discovered that the suspect, Michael Munnerlyn, was Mirranda's husband, making the incident a domestic tragedy of immense proportions. Special agents from the state police worked through the night, meticulously collecting evidence and interviewing individuals who knew the family and might have insight into the circumstances that led to the fatal shooting. The bodies of Ada, James, and Mirranda were transported to the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory to determine the official cause and manner of their deaths. Subsequently, Michael Munnerlyn was charged with murder in connection with the deaths of his wife and in-laws.
