Hot Springs lawyer included in unresolved slaying report

Arkansas State Police investigator Dennis Morris escorts a handcuffed Andrea Davis to a car on Feb. 29 after the body of Maxwell Anderson was found outside her home. No one has been charged in the case, which officials said Tuesday remains “active.”
Arkansas State Police investigator Dennis Morris escorts a handcuffed Andrea Davis to a car on Feb. 29 after the body of Maxwell Anderson was found outside her home. No one has been charged in the case, which officials said Tuesday remains “active.”
ADVERTISEMENT

More headlines

— The death of Hot Springs resident Maxwell Anderson more than nine months ago remains unresolved since his body was found outside lawyer Andrea Davis’ home after she called 911 to report a shooting.

When Garland County sheriff’s deputies arrived at 251 Ledgerwood Road the afternoon of Feb. 29, they found Anderson’s body outside the house, according to an initial report.

Sitting next to the body were Davis, identified in the incident report as “complainant,” and her brother, Matthew Davis, identified in the report as “suspect.”

Since then, no one has been charged in Anderson’s apparent shooting death, and authorities have not named any suspects.

Andrea Davis was identified Tuesday by Attorney General Dustin McDaniel as the woman with whom he had an “inappropriate” relationship in 2011.

The Arkansas State Police is in charge of the investigation into Anderson’s death at the request of Garland County Sheriff Larry Sanders.

When state police investigators arrived at Andrea Davis’ home in February, a photographer took pictures of Andrea Davis wearing handcuffs and being escorted by a detective.

“All I can tell you is there is an active investigation,” state police spokesman Bill Sadler said Tuesday.

“This agency does not discuss any element of an open investigation involving the criminal investigation division.

“We have never identified any suspects, nor have we identified any persons questioned in that,” Sadler said.

Requests under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act for a copy of the Feb. 29 call to 911 were denied by the Garland County sheriff’s office and referred to the county prosecutor’s office.

Garland County Coroner Stuart Smedley did not return calls Tuesday.

Garland County Prosecuting Attorney Steve Oliver said there is no “timetable” on the investigation.

One element still under investigation is whether Anderson was killed in self-defense or for another reason, Oliver said.

Oliver’s office has subpoenaed Davis’ and Anderson’s phone records, and state police detectives are still waiting on copies of text messages sent from both of their phones, the prosecutor said.

READ MORE

Front Section, Pages 7 on 12/19/2012

Upcoming Events