A Searcy man's death is being investigated as a homicide after officers found his body during a welfare check, according to the police department.
Searcy police announced the death of Van Stevens, 74, in a news release. He was found dead of "several puncture wounds" around 9 p.m. Monday at a South Oak Street residence.
Police Tuesday afternoon named Christopher Coy Gamble, 32, of Searcy a suspect in Stevens's slaying. Gamble is charged with first-degree murder and residential burglary, according to police.
This story was originally published at 1 p.m.