The suspect in the death of a couple near Eureka Springs is caught in Oklahoma then takes his own life.

The complete release below is from the Carroll County Sheriff's Office:

On Friday, November 14, 2025, Carroll County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a welfare check at the address where they located the bodies of Joy Bennett Willmeth, 77, and Robert Leo Willmeth, 71. Both victims appeared to have suffered gunshot wounds.

Investigators with the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office and the Arkansas State Police responded. During the course of the investigation, it was determined that the son, Travis Lee McConnell age 56, lived at the residence but was not present. Also missing was a truck belonging to Robert. Investigators put out a BOLO for surrounding counties for the truck and McConnell. 

After placing the BOLO, a Lawrence County Missouri officer made contact with Investigators and informed them that McConnell was a suspect in a first degree assault in Lawrence County, Missouri in which he rammed a female acquaintance while operating a white truck (believed to be the same vehicle that was missing from the scene) and opened fire upon her with a .22 pistol, claiming during assault that he “had killed people in Arkansas”. This incident occurred on November 12th, 2025, at approximately 8:30 P.M.

Using investigative techniques and information gathered from other Law Enforcement agencies it was determined that McConnell had traveled to Missouri and later to Oklahoma. Investigators were able to get an approximate location in Oklahoma and reached out to US Marshal’s service and local Law Enforcement agencies in the area. At approximately 1:58 P.M., investigators with the 18th District Attorney’s Office in Pittsburg County, Oklahoma and members of a United States Marshal’s Service task force had successfully apprehended McConnell in Bob Willmeth’s Toyota Tacoma.

Investigators with the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office and the Arkansas State Police immediately headed to Pittsburg County Oklahoma Sheriff’s Office to conduct an interview and collect evidence. McConnell refused to be interviewed. Officers were able to retrieve items of evidence including clothing and firearms. 

On 11-16-2025 Investigators were notified by Oklahoma authorities that McConnell had taken his own life by hanging himself in his cell.
This case remains open and on-going and will continue to be investigated until complete. At this time, we have no reason to believe there is any threat to the public. 

This is a textbook example of what can be accomplished when agencies work together. Within twelve hours of discovery, the crime scene was processed, the suspect was identified, located, and arrested.

On behalf of the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office, I want to thank the following agencies that provided investigative assistance, resource sharing, or manpower in apprehending Travis McConnell:

The Arkansas State Police-Criminal Investigations Company D, Carroll County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, The Missouri Information Analysis Center, the Arkansas State Fusion Center, the Barry County Sheriff’s Office (Mo.), the McDonald County Sheriff’s Office (Mo.), the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office (Mo.), the Lawrence County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office (Mo.), the Greene County Sheriff’s Office (Mo.), the United States Marshal’s Service-Western Missouri Fugitive Task Force, The United States Marshal’s Service-Eastern Oklahoma Violent Crimes Fugitive Task Force, The Oklahoma District 18 District Attorney’s Office, and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.