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Trumann Man Accused of Murder Denied Bond, Ordered to Remain in Custody

Trumann Man Accused of Murder Denied Bond, Ordered to Remain in Custody

Photo: Contributed/Poinsett County Sheriff's Office


Trumann, AR – Jonesboro Right Now – A man who had been arrested in connection with a missing person investigation and the discovery of suspected human remains has been denied bond, police announced Monday.

According to a news release from the Trumann Police Department, Rudy A. Ray appeared before Poinsett County District Court, where he was denied bond and ordered to remain in custody pending his next court appearance, scheduled for Sept. 18.

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He faces charges of first degree murder, abuse of a corpse, and tampering with physical evidence.

Police said the investigation remains ongoing, and no further information would be released.

Ray, 56, was originally taken into custody on Aug. 21 in Franklin, TN, on a fugitive from justice charge after police responded to a suspicious person call. He was later booked in the Poinsett County Detention Center in the early morning hours of Aug. 29.

On the same morning of Ray’s Tennessee arrest, local and state SWAT teams executed a search warrant at Ray’s residence at 401 N. Pine St. in Trumann.

During the search, investigators discovered what they believed to be human remains. The search was tied to an investigation into the disappearance of Rebecca Spray, who was reported missing on Aug. 14 after last being seen around June 30.

The suspected human remains were sent to the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory for official identification and to determine the cause of death.

This is a developing story. JRN will provide updates as they are available.

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