Update: Police say tips helped bring in Perry County murder suspect

(WYMT)
Published: Jul. 14, 2019 at 9:16 AM EDT
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Update 7/17/19

Anthony Lewis will make his first court apperance.

The arraignment is scheduled for Tuesday around 10 a.m.

Update Noon 7/16/19

We are learning more about murder suspect Anthony Lewis.

Court documents reveal Lewis was set to go on trial Wednesday for a first-degree rape charge.

Police said Lewis raped and robbed someone in Leslie County.

Lewis was released on recognizance. His conditions of release were to show up to any court hearings, not to be possession of guns or knives and commit no crimes.

He would have been in jail when the alleged murder in Perry County occurred if he had not been released.

On Tuesday, a judge revoked Lewis' bond.

Update 4:36 p.m. 7/15/19

Police say they are thankful for tips from the community that helped them find Anthony Lewis.

"Very grateful to the public for the tips," said Hazard Chief of Police Minor Allen.

Allen said Lewis went willingly when officers found him.

"I think 24 hours on the run had pretty much exhausted him," said Allen.

Officers worked throughout the night to find Lewis.

"It was a restless night for me, many other officers, and I'm sure many residents in Hazard and Perry County," said Allen.

Update 9:36 a.m. 7/15/19

Hazard Police tell WYMT they arrested Anthony Lewis Monday morning.

Lewis is wanted in connection with the murder of Marlena Holland.

Police captured him at the Old Big Creek school in Perry County around 9 a.m.

He was walking near the school when police captured him. They said he went with police peacefully.

Police are questioning him before they take him to Kentucky River Regional Jail.

He is charged with murder, but police say additional charges are possible.

Police said Lewis was out on bond for a first-degree rape charge out of Leslie County.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

Update 2:49 p.m. 7/14/19

Officers with the Hazard Police Department have obtained an arrest warrant for a man wanted in connection with the murder at Bobby Davis Park in Hazard on Sunday.

Police say they are looking for Anthony Lewis. He was last seen wearing a green button-up shirt, jeans, and dark work boots, and a dark ball cap.

Police say Lewis could have a weapon and is considered dangerous.

People are collecting donations for Holland’s funeral. Anyone who wants to give can stop by the front desk in Hazard City Hall or call (606) 436-3171.

Update 1:55 p.m. 7/14/19

We now know the name of the woman who was murdered at Bobby Davis Park on Sunday.

The Perry County coroner says Marlena Holland was 37. She was from Perry County.

Update 10:20 a.m. 7/14/19

We are learning more information about the person of interest in the murder at Bobby Davis Park.

Hazard Police confirmed that Anthony Lewis, their person of interest, has a criminal history.

Records tell us that Lewis was previously convicted of kidnapping- victim death in 1995 in Perry County. Records say the crime happened in 1992. After searching the WYMT archives, we learned Lewis and another man, James Smith, were accused of robbing, kidnapping and killing Wiley Bentley in December of 1992.

During Smith's trial in 1995, Lewis was already serving time in prison in Eddyville.

Lewis was due in court Wednesday in Leslie County on rape charges among others. He was not in jail after the judge released him on his own recognizance, not requiring him to post bail but requiring him to meet certain guidelines, some of which he broke with these alleged charges.

Records also tell us he faced multiple robbery offenses.

Update 9:30 a.m. 7/14/19

Police tell us the man they suspect murdered a woman at Bobby Davis Park is on the run.

Police say the suspect's name is Anthony Lewis. They consider him dangerous.

If you know any information on where Lewis may be, you should call Hazard Police.

"We've notified Kentucky State Police and surrounding counties in southeast Kentucky to be on the lookout for this individual," said Hazard Chief of Police Minor Allen.

Police tell us they got a call around 6:30 Sunday morning concerning the victim.

"They [were] concerned that the female had been killed or hurt seriously or something," said Allen. "They gave us this general area as where to look."

Officials say both the victim and the suspect were residents of the Hope House in Hazard.

The information led police to Bobby Davis Park and found a 37-year-old woman who appeared to be beaten to death.

"Well, basically we have two crime scenes this morning. We have the park itself, where the body is located, and then we have the hope house where there's some evidence in that area as well," said Allen.

Original Story

Hazard Police tell us they are investigating a murder at Bobby Davis Park.

At this time it is unclear who the victim is or how the person died. Officials tell us the victim is a woman.

We will continue to update this story as we learn more.

Update on the Perry County murder at the Bobby Davis Park. Connor James WYMT is there now.

Posted by WYMT on Sunday, July 14, 2019