On July 19, 2022, 31-year-old Devon Matlock of Farmington, Missouri, was found unresponsive in a vehicle outside of a business in Marble Hill. Authorities had been alerted to the situation following a report of a gunshot victim at the location. Upon their arrival, deputies performed first aid before Matlock was transported to a local hospital, where he was subsequently pronounced dead.
The initial investigation revealed that the incident had originated at a residence on State Highway JJ in Bollinger County, where Matlock had been shot before being driven to the business where he was discovered.
Following the homicide, the Bollinger County Sheriff's Office, assisted by the Missouri State Highway Patrol, launched an investigation that quickly led to the identification of suspects. Two days later, law enforcement officers executed an operation at a residence in Marble Hill, resulting in the arrests of James Primer and Angela Thompson. Both suspects were taken into custody in connection with Matlock's death.
James Primer and Angela Thompson were each charged with first-degree murder and armed criminal action. Following their arrests, they were held on cash-only bonds set at $1 million each. While the legal proceedings against Primer commenced following the charges, reports indicate that Angela Thompson, aged 49, passed away in September 2022, less than two months after the incident, potentially abating the criminal case against her. Information regarding a final conviction or sentencing for Primer has not been made publicly available in subsequent reports.
