Woman sought for questioning in murder

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Authorities are looking for a woman for questioning in connection with Randy E. Waltman's death in December.

The case has "definitely not been forgotten and it's not going to be forgotten," said Butler County Sheriff Bill Heaton.

Waltman's still warm body was found at about 5:30 p.m. Dec. 19 in a remote area along County Road 555.

Authorities think Waltman got off from work at Gates Rubber Co. between 3 and 3:30 p.m. and picked up his car at a local garage sometime after that.

His body was found lying face-up near his car, which was parked along County Road 555.

An autopsy confirmed that Waltman, 38, had been shot twice in the head and once in the abdomen.

During the last six months, officers have interviewed many friends, co-workers and family members of Waltman.

"We've been working on it every day," said Heaton. "Not a day goes by that we're not talking to somebody" about the case.

"We're following every lead that we receive," Heaton said, adding that authorities are also looking for a person they had previously talked to.

"It seems like she just has taken off," Heaton said. "It's not known whether she has taken off because there is a parole warrant for her or to keep us from talking to her."

Heaton said investigators still have more people they are going to interview.

Heaton asked anyone with information to call the sheriff's department or local law enforcement agency.

The sheriff's department's confidential hotline is 686-7876.