A suspect has been arrested in a north Mississippi cold case that happened two decades ago.
Lee County Sheriff Jim Johnson reports that 62-year-old Richard Truelock of Mantachie has been taken into custody for the 2003 murder of Wendy Benson due to “advancements in technology.”
On July 14, 2003, deputies responded to a possible homicide on County Road 1792. Upon arrival, Benson was found deceased in the residence with obvious signs of foul play.
The case was investigated for many years, however, eventually turned cold. Recently, the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation met with investigators and reopened the case because of new technology in forensic testing.
After a lengthy investigation, resulting in new evidence, charges were brought against Truelock for Branson’s murder. His bond was set at $1 million.
Lee County investigators worked alongside MBI investigators on the case and provided closure to the victim’s family.
