FAYETTEVILLE -- Police arrested a man late Monday in the stabbing death of a man at Walker Park, Fayetteville Police Department spokesman Sgt. Craig Stout said Wednesday.
The victim's name had not been released, pending notification of next of kin, Stout said. Police were having difficulty locating members of the victim's family, he said.
Killings in Fayetteville
Police departments in Fayetteville have investigated and made arrests in three homicide cases this year.
• David Henry Fox, Jr., 53, died around Jan. 4 of blunt force trauma, according to University of Arkansas police.
• Victoria Davis, 24, was held captive, beaten and died around Aug. 19 near Fayetteville High School, police said.
• An unnamed man was stabbed to death Monday night at Walker Park, Fayetteville police said.
Source: Staff Report
Jimmy Lee Hancock, 46, was arrested on suspicion of first-degree murder, terroristic threatening and aggravated assault in the case. He was being held without bail in the Washington County jail Wednesday.
A preliminary arrest report listed Hancock as homeless, but jail records listed a Siloam Springs address for him.
A police officer on patrol found a man believed to be in his 50s dead in a pavilion about 11:15 p.m. Monday at the park at 10 W. 15th St., according to the preliminary police report released Tuesday night.
Stout said Wednesday that the man was stabbed multiple times in the head and neck.
A knife was found near Hancock, who was standing near the body when the police officer arrived, according to the preliminary report. The knife blade tested positive for blood, according to the report.
Hancock's clothing and hands were stained with what police suspected was blood, according to the report. Hancock had no apparent injuries, police said.
Hancock was initially arrested Monday night on a public-intoxication charge. While he was being taken to jail, Hancock asked a police officer if anyone had said he stabbed someone, according to the report.
A witness told police that Hancock had threatened him earlier Monday, according to the report.
The witness, whom police did not identify, told officers that Hancock held a knife to his chest because he refused to drink with Hancock, according to the report. The witness described the knife as similar to the one found near the body, according to the report.
The witness said Hancock had told him: "Anyone who quits drinking deserves to die!" according to the report.
The witness also said he saw the man, who was later killed, and Hancock together before the police officer arrived.
Hancock said he was at the pavilion with the victim and the witness. He said he did not remember how the victim died, according to the report.
State Desk on 09/03/2015