Two years later, police still search for clues in Beisly murder

Saturday, July 16, 2011
Two years to the day after her death Vernon County Sheriff Ron Peckman gives an update on the investigation into the June 15, 2009, shooting death of 47-year-old Belinda Jean Beisly of Deerfield. From left, are Beisly's aunt and uncle, May and Robert Smith of Milo, her brother, Dave Irwin; and her mother, Wilma Irwin of Nevada.

Belinda Beisly was found dead in her rural Vernon County home on July 15, 2009; no one has been arrested or charged in the homicide and the case has been unsolved for two years. On Friday, the two-year anniversary of the discovery of Beisly's body, Sheriff Ron Peckman held a press conference at the Vernon County Jail to provide an update on the progress of the investigation.

When Belinda Beisly failed to show up for work at 3M on July 15, 2009, a friend called the Vernon County Sheriff's Office and requested they check on Beasly's well being, at her home in rural Vernon County. Beisly had died from what Vernon County Coroner David Ferry called multiple gunshot wounds.

Numerous agencies were called in to assist in the investigation. Peckman said local officers and Missouri State Highway Patrol troopers "processed the crime scene," and the Southwest Missouri Major Case Squad, The Community Narcotics Enforcement Team, The Division of Drug and Crime Control, the FBI Crime Lab and others worked on solving the murder. "We have done thousands of interviews and follow-ups," Peckman said.

We're here to (make) everybody aware that this murder case is still ongoing," said Peckman.

"We're still working on it. We believe there is a person or persons out there that has information that can get this solved," he said.

Peckman stressed that if someone knows something about the case and is afraid to identify themselves that "we want to assure them that we'll do everything for their safety."

Peckman said there is still a $10,000 reward in effect for information leading to an arrest and conviction in the case. That reward was raised by Beisly's brother David Irwin and other family members.

"We just want to get the word back out that this crime is still being investigated," Peckman said, "We haven't quit."

Peckman said he hopes a reminder may jog someone's memory and encourage them to come forward.

Peckman said "I can't say right now," when asked if there was any validity to rumors of the murder being a contract killing. "It's still ongoing, we're looking at a lot of different leads, a lot of different possibilities."

Peckman also said he felt good about the investigation, overall.

"We're still getting some leads, we're getting somewhere with it; we're just missing a piece of it. Somebody out there knows what that is," he said.

Anyone with information in this case can call the TIPs hotline at (417) 448-5599 or the Vernon County Sheriff at (417) 448-5555.