BENTONVILLE (KFSM) – A warrant has been issued for the arrest of Michael Conklin on suspicion of first-degree murder, according to Bentonville police.
Conklin went missing earlier this week after his grandmother was found killed in their Bentonville home. His whereabouts are still unknown, according to the Bentonville Police Department.
Preliminary autopsy results released earlier this week state Nelma Darline Conklin died in her home Sunday as the result of a homicide.
Police found the 76 year old’s body after responding to the home to check on her. Her 26-year-old grandson went missing, along with the woman’s silver Ford Focus, police said. Authorities have been searching since Monday for Michael Conklin.
Conklin does not have a felony record in Benton or Washington counties, according to sheriff’s offices in both counties.
Investigators with Bentonville police called Darline Conklin’s death “suspicious” Monday before receiving autopsy results back. When preliminary autopsy results came back later in the week, authorities ruled her death a homicide.
Police said they were originally called out to the residence, located at 3300 SW Elm Manor Ave., to check on Darline Conklin, who hadn’t shown up to her job in one week. When officers arrived to check on Conklin, they found her dead inside her home. Police have not released how Conklin died.
Police said Darline Conklin’s vehicle, a silver 2013 Ford Focus with the Arkansas license plate 583OCT, is missing from the home. Anyone with information on Michael Conklin’s whereabouts or anyone who has seen Darline Conklin’s vehicle is encouraged to call the Bentonville Police Department at 479-271-3170.
Authorities described Michael Conklin as a five-foot-nine white male who weighs 185 pounds. He has short brown hair and hazel eyes. Conklin sometimes wears glasses and has earrings, police said.
