BENTON — One of the two bodies found at a Traskwood home has been identified as a man missing for a year, Saline County authorities said, and an arrest has been made.
Marissa Wright, 50, was charged Thursday with capital murder in the death of Joe Lee Richards Jr., who had been missing for almost a year.
Benton County Police Chief Kirk Lane described Wright as Richards' "on-again-off-again girlfriend."
On Wednesday, authorities investigating Richards' disappearance served a search warrant and found the bodies apart from each other in the backyard of Wright's residence, 2902 W. Main St. Police did not release what led them there.
The cause of death is still pending further analysis, Lane said.
The second body has been identified, but police say they are not releasing the name until family has been notified.
Benton Police Department Lt. Kevin Russell said authorities do not believe there is a relationship between Richards and the second person whose body was uncovered.
The Saline County Sheriff's Office is investigating the second death.
Saline County Sheriff Bruce Pennington declined to release information about the second investigation while work continues on it.
He said it's possible Wright will be charged in the second death, but it's too early to know.
"If the investigation leads to that, she will," Pennington said. "But at this time all we have is a recovered body."
Wright was arrested at Saline Memorial Hospital, where she had been admitted Tuesday. Lane said he could not release what she was being treated for.