A Community Shaken: Arkansas State Police Investigate Double Homicide Near Eureka Springs
A deep sense of shock and sorrow has settled over Carroll County as Arkansas State Police (ASP) investigate a devastating double homicide discovered Friday in the 3000 block of West Highway 62, just east of Eureka Springs. What began as a routine welfare check quickly turned into a heartbreaking crime scene—one that has left a quiet community grappling with grief, fear, and unanswered questions.
According to the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were dispatched to the residence on November 14 after concerns were raised about the well-being of the occupants. Upon entering the home, deputies made a horrifying discovery: the bodies of 77-year-old Joy Bennett Willmeth and 71-year-old Robert Leo Willmeth. Both were found deceased inside the home they shared, and initial findings indicate that each appeared to have suffered fatal gunshot wounds.
Arkansas State Police promptly took over the investigation, confirming that the case is being treated as a double homicide. While details remain limited, investigators have stated that the bodies will be transported to the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory for full autopsies. These examinations will determine the official cause and manner of death and may provide critical evidence to guide the ongoing investigation.
The tragedy has shaken the Eureka Springs area, where Joy and Robert Willmeth were known as long-time community members—kind, familiar faces whose sudden and violent deaths have left neighbors in disbelief. The couple’s home, once a quiet place of routine and retirement, has now become the center of a troubling and deeply disturbing case.
Authorities have not released information on potential suspects, motives, or circumstances surrounding the deaths. The Arkansas State Police have emphasized that the investigation remains active and evolving as detectives gather evidence, conduct interviews, and piece together the events leading to the tragedy. Officials are urging anyone with information, no matter how minor it may seem, to come forward and assist.
Adding to the wave of law enforcement activity in the region, police also confirmed the identity of a second victim connected to a separate Bentonville case involving a man reported to face one count of rape. Though unrelated to the double homicide, the news has contributed to the region’s heavy atmosphere as multiple investigations unfold simultaneously across Northwest Arkansas.
For many in Carroll County, the loss of Joy and Robert has created a void that cannot be easily filled. Friends and relatives describe them as loving, gentle people who did not deserve such a violent end. As the community processes the shock, many are sharing memories, gathering in support, and hoping for swift justice on behalf of two lives taken in such a tragic and senseless manner.
The Arkansas State Police continue to work diligently, promising updates as more information becomes available. For now, an entire community waits—mourning the loss of Joy and Robert Willmeth, praying for answers, and supporting one another through an unthinkable tragedy.
May Joy Bennett Willmeth and Robert Leo Willmeth rest in peace, and may their loved ones find comfort and strength during this heartbreaking time.
