BENTONVILLE (KFSM) – A preliminary investigation reveals the Bentonville woman found dead in her home Sunday died as the result of a homicide, according to the Bentonville Police Department.
Police found 76-year-old Nelma Darline Conklin’s body Sunday after responding to the home to check on her. Her 26-year-old grandson, who lives with her, is missing, along with the woman’s silver Ford Focus, according to Bentonville police.
Authorities have been searching since Monday for Michael Conklin, but he has not been named as a suspect in Darline Conklin’s death, police said.
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. Police said autopsy results would help answer questions about cause of death and move the investigation forward.
Police said they were originally called out to the residence, located at 3300 SW Elm Manor Ave., to check on 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 said Darline Conklin’s vehicle, a silver 2013 Ford Focus with the Arkansas license plate 583OCT, is also 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 authorities.
