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RAY COUNTY, MO -
Police found the body of Carol Thomas, 23, in rural Ray County on Thursday afternoon after witnesses saw her attacked and put in the trunk of a car Wednesday night. Police have not said how she died, but said they have arrested three suspects and a person of interest in connection with her disappearance.
Several witness reported that Thomas was attacked Wednesday night and then put in the trunk of a red Pontiac Grand Am by three people. Police also found a stun gun at that location.
The car was later found in Lawson, Mo., where it had been set on fire.
Police said a farmer saw a vehicle leaving a field late Wednesday night. Police began their search of that field on Thursday and located a woman's body that matches Thomas' description.
"We pretty much have all our resources working on this one incident," said Lt. Clint Reno of the Excelsior Springs Police Department. "We do believe it is all legit."
Excelsior Springs Police said four people are in custody: two men and two women. Reno said one of the women is witness and person of interest in the case, and the other three are suspects. Police said charges are expected by Friday.
Police said all suspects are in their 20s and acquaintances of Thomas.
On Thursday afternoon, the Sheriff's Department and police surrounded a house north of Lawson where a landlord reported suspicious activity. The landlord of the home told FOX 4 News that one of the three suspects admitted they had killed Thomas. Police said one of the men has a vehicle that matches the red car found in Lawson.
Police were awaiting a search warrant to enter that house.
An ex-boyfriend of Thomas' said she had planned to get a ride to Kansas City to visit him Wednesday night, however she never made it, and he hadn't heard from her since Wednesday evening.
Thomas Sullivan, Thomas' former boyfriend, told FOX 4 News that Thomas sounded nervous on the phone shortly before she disappeared.
"When I talked to her, she said there was something she needed to talk to me about ," said Sullivan. "She couldn't tell me on the phone."
Timeline of Events
Wednesday, 9:30 p.m.: Witnesses see Thomas attacked and put in the trunk of a car in Excelsior Springs (Clay County)
Thursday, 2:00 a.m.: Vehicle found burned in Ray County
Thursday morning: Suspects arrested in Clinton County
Thursday, 12:15 p.m.: Body found in field in Ray County
Several witness reported that Thomas was attacked Wednesday night and then put in the trunk of a red Pontiac Grand Am by three people. Police also found a stun gun at that location.
The car was later found in Lawson, Mo., where it had been set on fire.
Police said a farmer saw a vehicle leaving a field late Wednesday night. Police began their search of that field on Thursday and located a woman's body that matches Thomas' description.
"We pretty much have all our resources working on this one incident," said Lt. Clint Reno of the Excelsior Springs Police Department. "We do believe it is all legit."
Excelsior Springs Police said four people are in custody: two men and two women. Reno said one of the women is witness and person of interest in the case, and the other three are suspects. Police said charges are expected by Friday.
Police said all suspects are in their 20s and acquaintances of Thomas.
On Thursday afternoon, the Sheriff's Department and police surrounded a house north of Lawson where a landlord reported suspicious activity. The landlord of the home told FOX 4 News that one of the three suspects admitted they had killed Thomas. Police said one of the men has a vehicle that matches the red car found in Lawson.
Police were awaiting a search warrant to enter that house.
An ex-boyfriend of Thomas' said she had planned to get a ride to Kansas City to visit him Wednesday night, however she never made it, and he hadn't heard from her since Wednesday evening.
Thomas Sullivan, Thomas' former boyfriend, told FOX 4 News that Thomas sounded nervous on the phone shortly before she disappeared.
"When I talked to her, she said there was something she needed to talk to me about ," said Sullivan. "She couldn't tell me on the phone."
Timeline of Events
Wednesday, 9:30 p.m.: Witnesses see Thomas attacked and put in the trunk of a car in Excelsior Springs (Clay County)
Thursday, 2:00 a.m.: Vehicle found burned in Ray County
Thursday morning: Suspects arrested in Clinton County
Thursday, 12:15 p.m.: Body found in field in Ray County
