Michael James O’Malley Obituary, Death – Van Buren police have arrested a 19-year-old man in connection with the death of another man whose body was discovered near a road on Sunday morning. Authorities believe the teenager is responsible for the killing, which has shocked the local community.
The suspect, identified as Anthony Lee Tabor, is a resident of Van Buren. He was taken into custody on a warrant for second-degree murder following the discovery of the victim. Before the murder charge was issued, Tabor had already been arrested in the same case on suspicion of theft by receiving, indicating that the investigation had been unfolding prior to the formal murder charge.
The victim in the case was 34-year-old Michael James O’Malley, also a resident of Van Buren. O’Malley’s body was found shortly after 11 a.m. on Sunday near the intersection of South 40th Street and Kingsberry Drive. This location is a residential area that borders a large, open field, making the discovery even more alarming for neighbors and residents nearby.
Following the discovery of the body, police called in the Arkansas State Medical Examiner’s Office to conduct an autopsy. The examination is expected to provide more details about the cause of death and possibly help investigators confirm the circumstances leading up to the crime.
At this time, Van Buren police have not released further details about how the killing occurred or what might have led to the tragic incident. Investigators have chosen to withhold specific information about the crime out of respect for the victim’s family, who are grieving the loss of their loved one.
The arrest of Anthony Lee Tabor for second-degree murder comes as part of an ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding O’Malley’s death. The charge of second-degree murder in Arkansas typically applies when a person is accused of causing another individual’s death knowingly but without premeditation.
The theft by receiving charge against Tabor indicates that he may have been in possession of stolen property connected to the case, though police have not elaborated on the nature of the stolen items or how they relate to the homicide investigation.
Residents of the neighborhood where the incident occurred have expressed shock and sadness over the news of the killing. The normally quiet area, located near an open field, has been disturbed by the presence of police and the tragic discovery of a life lost.
Law enforcement officials are continuing their investigation and have indicated that more details may be released once the autopsy is completed and once they are confident that sharing additional information will not interfere with the case or cause further distress to the victim’s family.
For now, the community of Van Buren is left processing the tragedy, while police work to bring justice for Michael James O’Malley. The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities are urging anyone with information about the case to come forward and assist with the investigation.
This case serves as a reminder of the unexpected and tragic violence that can occur in any community, and the importance of supporting law enforcement efforts to uncover the truth and ensure justice is served.