Arrests made in connection with body found near Seligman
Daniel Blanks
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Richard Phillips
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Reginald Baker
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December 1, 2021
Sheila Harris
Reginald Baker, of Seligman, and Daniel Blanks, of Fort Smith, Arkansas, were arrested in Tulsa over the weekend in connection with the death of Richard Phillips, of Springdale, Arkansas. Phillips’s body was found by squirrel hunters about 1:15 p.m. Saturday, near Forest Road 1014 north of Seligman.
According to Barry County Sheriff Danny Boyd, the body had been discarded down a hillside about a half-mile from the road.
“Springdale police had been to Barry County last Tuesday to let us know that Phillips had disappeared from his Springdale apartment and may be in the area,” Boyd said.
According to Boyd, Phillips had suffered multiple gunshot wounds, although his body has been sent to Arkansas State Crime Lab to determine an official cause of death.
Boyd, along with Barry County detectives Doug Henry and Abby Parsons, collected evidence at the scene, which included shell casings. Shell casings of the same size were also found in a recovered vehicle in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where Baker and Blanks were arrested in connection with Phillips’ disappearance.
According to Boyd, it was obvious the shooting did not occur where the body was found. Authorities believe Phillips died in Springdale, where Springdale Police public information officer, Lieutenant Jeff Taylor, says witnesses reported seeing two men forcibly remove Phillips from his apartment after an argument. The witnesses then contacted the authorities.
After their arrest, the suspects were held in the Tulsa County Jail before being extradited to Washington County, Arkansas, where they’re currently held and where their cases will be prosecuted.
Blank and Baker face numerous charges, which may be upgraded as crime lab evidence is returned.
Sheila Harris
Reginald Baker, of Seligman, and Daniel Blanks, of Fort Smith, Arkansas, were arrested in Tulsa over the weekend in connection with the death of Richard Phillips, of Springdale, Arkansas. Phillips’s body was found by squirrel hunters about 1:15 p.m. Saturday, near Forest Road 1014 north of Seligman.
According to Barry County Sheriff Danny Boyd, the body had been discarded down a hillside about a half-mile from the road.
“Springdale police had been to Barry County last Tuesday to let us know that Phillips had disappeared from his Springdale apartment and may be in the area,” Boyd said.
According to Boyd, Phillips had suffered multiple gunshot wounds, although his body has been sent to Arkansas State Crime Lab to determine an official cause of death.
Boyd, along with Barry County detectives Doug Henry and Abby Parsons, collected evidence at the scene, which included shell casings. Shell casings of the same size were also found in a recovered vehicle in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where Baker and Blanks were arrested in connection with Phillips’ disappearance.
According to Boyd, it was obvious the shooting did not occur where the body was found. Authorities believe Phillips died in Springdale, where Springdale Police public information officer, Lieutenant Jeff Taylor, says witnesses reported seeing two men forcibly remove Phillips from his apartment after an argument. The witnesses then contacted the authorities.
After their arrest, the suspects were held in the Tulsa County Jail before being extradited to Washington County, Arkansas, where they’re currently held and where their cases will be prosecuted.
Blank and Baker face numerous charges, which may be upgraded as crime lab evidence is returned.
