Woman, 38, held in death of beau

MOUNTAIN HOME — A 38-year-old Baxter County woman was arrested Friday in the shooting death of her boyfriend.

Rhonda Jean Clark was charged with first-degree murder in the death of Antonio Sanchez III, 43, said Sheriff John Montgomery. She is being held in the Baxter County jail in Mountain Home in lieu of a $1 million bond, the sheriff said.

Clark told co-workers Thursday morning that Sanchez had killed himself about midnight. One of the workers called 911 and reported the death at 9 a.m. Thursday, Montgomery said.

Authorities found Sanchez’s body in the living room of his home at 890 Old Tracy Ferry Road in Mountain Home. Sanchez and Clark had been living together for several months, Montgomery said.

Investigators found evidence while searching the home Thursday afternoon that indicated the death was a homicide, Montgomery said. A rifle, believed to be the weapon used to kill Sanchez, was found in the home, the sheriff said.

Montgomery said he won’t release details of the investigation as it is ongoing.

Police sent Sanchez’s body to the state Crime Laboratory in Little Rock.