Update
NEWTON COUNTY, Mo. — More charges have been submitted in a Newton County homicide investigation – this time for a father’s role as his son’s alleged accomplice.
The Joplin Police Department released a statement Friday saying additional charges have been submitted for 64-year-old Eddie W. Fisher, of Seneca, for Tampering with Physical Evidence (Class E Felony).
Authorities have determined that Eddie Fisher, father of Damyon Fisher, was present at the Joplin address when Scotty Roller was shot in the back on March 18th.
Eddie also assisted in the disposal of Roller’s body by wrapping him up in a rug following the shooting, and taking him to his Seneca home to dump in his well.
Eddie Fisher remains in Newton County Jail.
This is a developing story and we will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.
Update
UPDATE: Suspect & victim identified in Newton Co. human remains discovery
NEWTON COUNTY, Mo. — JPD has released an update on the investigation into the human remains that were found Wednesday in a Newton County resident’s well.
The victim, tentatively* identified as 36-year-old Scotty J. Roller, of Neosho is determined to have been shot in the back by 40-year-old Damyon D. Fisher, of Joplin, by investigators.
JPD said an argument over the purchase of a vehicle involving the two men took place back on March 18th in Joplin. Fisher, who had a gun in his waistband, is alleged to have shot Roller in the back after Roller fled from him. Along with an accomplice, Fisher moved the body to Newton County and buried Roller in a well.
The resident of the Newton County address, 64-year-old Eddie Fisher, was taken into custody on unrelated charges. He remains in Newton County custody but additional charges are expected.
A missing persons report was filed for Roller shortly after his disappearance.
What is believed to be the remains of Roller were removed from the site Wednesday afternoon. After which detectives with JPD found and arrested Damyon Fisher during a traffic stop. He remains in the Joplin City Jail.
Fisher’s charges have been submitted to the Jasper County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for Murder in the 2nd Degree and Armed Criminal Action.
The remains had to be excavated by use of drill rig with an auger bucket; they were finally found at a depth of 45ft, Newton County authorities said in a release.
*In their release, JPD specifies this is the current ID on the remains, but an official autopsy will provide full confirmation.
Update
UPDATE: Body recovered in Newton County dig site
NEWTON COUNTY, Mo. — Authorities have confirmed a body has been exhumed from the dig site in Newton County.
Newton County Sheriff, Chris Jennings confirmed that a body was pulled from the hand dug well on a property south of Seneca Wednesday morning.
The well, which was hand-dug and lined with rocks, has been on the property for decades, Sheriff Jennings said. Earlier attempts to bore down to the depth they needed were unsuccessful Tuesday night. But after bringing heavier equipment such as an auger, investigators were able to dig down to a depth of 40 feet and found human remains.
Multiple agencies including ODET, The Ozark Drug Enforcement Team, were on scene to assist. Local contractors also helped in the recovery.
An anonymous source was responsible for leading Newton County authorities to the exact location of the presumed to be buried body. The Sheriff’s Office has made contact with the owners of the property while they remain at an undisclosed location.
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The next step, Sheriff Jennings said, is sending what remains could be located to a lab for identification.
Original
Excavation in residential yard for possible missing person
NEWTON COUNTY, Mo. — The Newton County Sheriff’s Office is conducting a possible homicide investigation with heavy excavation equipment.
The Sheriff’s Office is executing a search warrant that was served on Monday (4/25), by excavating a residential yard located at 20364 Crane Drive, approximately four miles south of Seneca in Newton County.
Sergeant Chris Farmer with the Newton County Sheriff’s Office said early this morning (4/27) that the heavy digging is related to the investigating of a missing person and could become a homicide investigation if the search turns up any evidence.
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The excavating has been called off for the night, and a Sherriff’s Deputy is assigned to watch the residential location until crews resume digging around sunrise, said Sergeant Farmer.
Because of the ongoing investigation, the name of the missing person in this case is not being released at this time.
