Death Notification Service

Authorities await blood test results in Reed death; no autopsy performed

LITTLE ROCK — State police are awaiting results of a blood test but no autopsy will be performed on former Arkansas Farm Bureau President Stanley Reed, who died in a car crash last week, a state police spokesman said today.

Reed, 59, of Marianna, was killed Friday when the vehicle he was driving veered off U.S. 64 near Augusta and struck a tree.

Witnesses told authorities Reed’s vehicle was traveling normally and in a straight line and then suddenly veered off the road, traveled more than 300 feet off the highway and struck a tree. State police spokesman Bill Sadler said there were no skid marks indicating an attempt to brake and no indication of a mechanical malfunction.

“Of course its not the job of the state police to determine cause of death, but there was nothing in this crash that raised suspicion on the part of the trooper,” Sadler said. “The trooper was advised during the death notification that (the family) did not prefer to have an autopsy. “There was no compelling reason, as the trooper said, for one to be performed.”

The Woodruff County coroner did take a blood sample that was sent to the State Crime Lab for analysis, Sadler said.

Funeral services for Reed are scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at the First Baptist Church in Marianna. Visitation is scheduled before the service from noon until 1:30 p.m., and burial will be a Marianna Memorial Park.

A memorial service is scheduled for 2 p.m. Thursday at Fellowship Bible Church in Little Rock.

Reed was president of the Arkansas Farm Bureau from 2003-2008. The cotton farmer and lawyer also served 10 years on the University of Arkansas Board of Trustees and had been a finalist for president of the university system last week.

In 2010 he entered the U.S. Senate race as a Republican but withdrew after just one week, citing health concerns.

Woman Arrested in Stabbing Death Of Husband

Shortly after 1:00 a.m. today, Long Beach Police Officers were dispatched to an apartment in the area of 7th Street and Long Beach Boulevard regarding an “unknown trouble” call.

When officers arrived, they discovered the body of an adult male inside the apartment suffering from apparent stab wounds. The male was treated at the scene but later died as a result of his injuries.

A preliminary investigation revealed that the male and the female occupant of the apartment have been married for about a year. The male forced entry into the home and a physical confrontation ensued. During the altercation, the female stabbed the male with a knife, resulting in his death.

The female was transported to the police station for a formal interview. Investigators interviewed the female as well as other witnesses at the scene and compiled evidence. After further investigation, detectives have determined that the actions taken by the female appear to be in self-defense and she was released from custody.

The incident is still under investigation and will be presented to the District Attorney’s Office for a formal disposition. Because it has been determined that the female in this case acted in self-defense and is being considered a victim of domestic violence, her identity is protected under California law. The male’s identity has not been released yet pending notification if next of kin.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to call Long Beach Police Homicide Detectives Scott Lasch or Donald Goodman at (5620 570-07244. Anonymous information may also be submitted via text or the web by visiting www.longbeach.gov/police .

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Death notification, a practical guide to the process

Homicide, the hidden victims : a guide for professionals

Encyclopedia of death and the human experience

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