After a dramatic drop in homicides in 2019, Clarksdale has recorded its first such death in 2020.
Brunley McDowell was formally charged Tuesday Jan. 7 with the stabbing death of her husband following an incident at her home. She is currently in the Coahoma County Jail and was arraigned in Clarksdale Municipal Court Thursday afternoon.
Clarksdale police responded to a call of a man deceased on a front porch in the 1400 block of Herrin Street Monday morning and while there were no initial signs of trauma a later examination by the Coahoma County coroner Scotty Meredith determined the man died violently.
Police Chief Sandra Williams said the investigation is continuing and said Monday a person of interest has been detained by police but no charges had been filed as of Monday afternoon.
“At 8:20 a.m. Monday a meter reader called 911 to say there someone sitting on a porch,” said Williams. “That person was later identified at Willis McDowell, 55, of 1418 Herrin, St.”
Williams was hesitant to release details of motive or what might have caused William’s death until the department had finished their investigation.
Clarksdale recorded 12 murders in 2018 and churches and neighborhoods joined with police to stop the violence and help authorities. Clarksdale only recorded two murders in 2019, the last on was the death of Lashone Jones in the street in front of C.W's Bar in the 300 Block of Issaquena Ave., on Oct. 15.
Anyone with details about McDowell’s death or what might have led up to it is asked to call the Clarkdale Police at 662-621-8154.
