Hayti man arrested, charged with murder

HAYTI, Mo. -- What began as an investigation of the stabbing of a 42-year-old Homestown, Mo., woman ended in a case of homicide in which state prosecutor Mike Hazel formerly charged Christopher Smith, 31, of Hayti with one count of murder in the second degree and armed criminal action.

According to Chief Paul Sheckell with the Hayti Police Department, at 10:30 p.m. Feb. 28, the Pemiscot County Sheriff's Department received a call from the Pemiscot Memorial Hospital reporting a stabbing victim at the emergency room.

Sheckell reported that officers with his department responded to the hospital where they identified the victim as Anita Elizabeth Sims, 42, of Homestown, Mo., an underpopulated city in Pemiscot County.

A short time after receiving the call from the hospital, Pemiscot County Coroner Jim Brimhall advised investigating officers that Sims had died from an apparent stab wound to the chest.

At that point a homicide investigation began with the Hayti Police Department, Pemiscot County Sheriff's Department, Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Patrol's Division of Drug and Crime Control, the State Violent Crime Support Unit of Jefferson City, Bootheel Drug Task Force and Caruthersville Police Department.

On Sunday an arrest was made in the case at approximately 8:46 p.m.

The investigation and arrest labeled Smith, a man who was said to have moved into the area only a few months ago, as the alleged murderer.

Smith is being held in the Pemiscot County Justice Center with no bond.

According to Sheckell, as the investigation continues, authorities ask that anyone with information into the case contact the Hayti Police Department at (573) 359-1259.