MISSOURI STATE HIGHWAY PATROL
a division of the
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

Troop G - 1226 W. Bus. 60/63, Willow Springs, MO 65793


News Release

For further information please contact: Sergeant Martin K. Elmore
(417) 469-3121, ext. 3735
G-10123
October 18, 2012

EMPHASIS: Patrol Investigates Death In Howell County Jail


At approximately 7 a.m., Thursday, October 18, 2012, an inmate’s body was discovered in the Howell County Jail by personnel from the Howell County Sheriff’s Department. The deceased was identified as Eric J. Chappelle, 40, of West Plains, Missouri. Chappelle had been incarcerated in the Howell County Jail since April 2011, on a first degree murder charge and numerous lesser charges related to the death of an infant child.
The Howell County Sheriff’s Department requested assistance from the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control, and a criminal investigator was dispatched to the scene at approximately 7:31 a.m.
There is no foul play suspected at this time. An autopsy is scheduled for Monday, October 22, 2012, in Springfield, Missouri.
The investigation continues.

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