Gazette State News Service  2-15-1977

HOT SPRINGS – The state Medical Examiner’s Office reported Monday that Garland County Deputy Sheriff Linda L. Edwards died from “multiple blows to the head,” the State Police said.

Sgt. Mike Fletcher of the Criminal Investigation Section, who is heading the investigation said assistant Medical Examiner Steve Martz of Little Rock said that Mrs. Edwards was struck several times in the head, Fletcher said.

“The death definitely was a homicide and we’ll pursue it along those lines,” Fletcher said. He refused to give any details.

Skeletal remains of the woman’s body were found Saturday by wolf hunters in a remote section of northern Hot Spring County near Lake Hamilton. A search party of about 75 law enforcement officers and hunters searched the area Sunday and found most of the remains, her rings, shoes and the clothes she was wearing when last seen.

Mrs. Edwards, 29, who was radio dispatcher at the sheriff’s office, disappeared August 21 after ·leaving her two children with a baby sitter. She was 4-1/2 months pregnant at the time of her disappearance. Her car was found a few days after she was reported missing about eight miles from where the remains were discovered.

Fletcher would not comment on reports that investigators had a lead on a suspect.