An Arkansas farmer who after time had ‘known’ for the murder of a jogger, with whom it was said he was ‘known’ had won the Family of the Year in 2016.
Quake Lewellyn, 28, was charged with one count of capital murder after the body of Sydney Sutherland, 25, was discovered in Newport on Friday, according to online court records.
Lewellyn is said to have confessed to the crime, according to the parents of Sydney Sutherland’s friend Alex. Cathy Hood wrote: ‘They have arrested the person who committed this horrible crime. He admitted that he did. Also pray for his family if they are dealing with what happened. ‘
In 2016, Lewellyn, a student at Tuckerman High School, was named Jackson County Farm Family of the Year alongside his father Michael and grandfather Donald.
Quake told arkansasonline.com: ‘I’ve always worked on the farm. I started driving a yellow Ford, picking up seeds for Dad. We all have our own farms, but we help each other out. ‘
Father Michael added: ‘We are a real family farm. From my dad, Donald, to me, to my son, Quake. ‘The family is said to have 5,800 acres in four counties.
Police found Sutherland’s body after a three-day search operation involving K-9 units and helicopter crews. She was last seen at 3am on Wednesday on State Hwy 18 between Newport and Grubbs.
Jackson County Sheriff David County has confirmed that a man has been arrested in connection with her death and is expected to be charged with murder, Fox 16 had reported.
Sydney Sutherland (left) 25, was killed Friday at her home in Newport, Arkansas. Quake Lewellyn, 28, (right) a farmer from Jonesboro, has been named by local media as the man who was arrested Friday and charged in connection with her death
In 2016, Lewellyn, a student at Tuckerman High School, was named Jackson County Farm Family of the Year alongside his father Michael and grandfather Donald.
This is still shared from clip music of a family member is presumably the last image of Sutherland and was taken just 90 minutes before she went for a run at her house on Wednesday
Details about where exactly Sutherland’s body was found and how she was killed were not immediately released.
‘We have a suspect in custody at the moment. However, I can not release his name until he is formally charged, ‘Lucas told a news conference.
He was later identified by local news station KARK 4 on Saturday as Lewellyn.
Sutherland shared regular photos on Facebook of her work as a nurse. Pictured in her scrubs
Sydney was last seen walking around her home on State Hwy 18 at 3pm on Wednesday
He is accused of one count of capital murder, according to online booking reserves of the prison named by the outlet.
Local media footage showed Lewellyn in handcuffs and was taken on Friday at the Arkansas State Police Headquarters in Newport.
Police said the man is a farmer from Jonesboro and was known to the victim, but the nature of their relationship is unclear.
Prior to Friday, police had discovered Sutherland’s iPhone about a quarter of a mile from her home.
She was reportedly continuing with her phone and Apple Watch.
Father Michael added: ‘We are a real family farm. From my dad, Donald, to me, to my son, Quake. ‘The family is said to have 5,800 acres in four counties’
Quake told arkansasonline.com: ‘I’ve always worked on the farm. I started driving a yellow Ford, picking up seeds for Dad. We all have our own farms, but we help each other out. ‘
Suspected 28-year-old Quake Lewellyn was arrested Friday
Sutherland’s body was found near her home on Friday, however, more details about where she was killed and how she died were not immediately released.
Sutherland lived with her friend, pictured, and worked as a nurse at Harris Medical Center
A UPS driver reportedly saw Sutherland jogging in the area of 41 Jackson County Road.
Other reports of a Texas truck seen in the area were dismissed by police who said the rumor had damaged the investigation.
On Thursday, a relative shared what is now thought to be the latest image of Sutherland, taken from Ring Music at her home not long before she went on her ride.
Sutherland worked as a nurse, according to her Facebook page
She is seen in pink sneakers, black shorts and a white tank top moving items on the trunk of a car.
Her car and other belongings remained at home when she went on her run and she was reported missing Wednesday night when she did not return.
‘This was at 1pm on 19/19/20 at our house. She walked through her house at 230 hours on HWY 18. Please help find our sassy !! wrote Summer Sutherland.
Her remains were found the next day just north of her house and the suspect was seized a short time later.
The sheriff’s office did not disclose how they identified the suspect as if evidence was found at the scene.
According to FOX16, the State Medical Examiners Office confirmed the identity of the body found Friday as Sydney Sutherland via DNA.
Her body has been sent to Arkansas Crime Lab as the investigation continues.
A hearing and arraignment of the bond could be as Monday as after attorney Henry Boyce checks the case and decides on formal charges, FOX16 states.
Sutherland worked as a nurse, according to her Facebook page, and lived with her friend.
Sutherland was described by her colleagues as bright and outgoing
She jogs regularly along the main road near her house. Pictured with her friend
The sheriff confirmed that there was no indication of problems with her friend when the search was launched.
She worked at Harris Medical Center in Newport, where colleagues described her as bright and outgoing.
‘She’s very close to her family,’ her co-worker Jennifer Eddington told WMC5 before she was found.
“We just know that she would not leave on her own without contacting someone, that is not her nature at all.”
The sheriff praised the local efforts in the search for Sutherland in what was a ‘very tragic case’.
“It took a toll, it really did,” he said.
‘Just because I know the people of this province. I know this family personally. I know this young lady personally. I knew her and watched her grow up. It strikes me personally. ‘
Sheriff Lucas said he knew Sutherland personally and described her death as ‘tragic’
The close-knit Jackson County community has been heartbroken by her death
Rows of cars had joined in the search to find Sutherland in the small close-knit community.
More than 200 volunteers arrived at the sheriff’s office along Highway 18 desperate for signs of the missing woman.
“We are not surprised,” Eddington said. ‘Jackson County is just that. We are a close community. We just want her to be safe and be found. ‘
The discovery of their remains has left the community heartbroken as they pay tribute to the young woman.
‘I’m sitting here trying to say the words and I can find no one. No words can alleviate the pain that Sydney’s family feels, ‘Jackson County Emergency Management wrote on Facebook.
‘I want to thank all the hundreds of volunteers who came up over the past 3 days and helped in any way you could. I really appreciate it and I have tried to tell you all personally, but if I miss you THANK YOU! ‘
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