On January 7, 1995, 43-year-old Connie Townsend’s home burned to the ground in Brockwell, Arkansas in front of over 20 witnesses. 

Connie was moving out of her house that day. She had separated from her estranged husband, David Townsend years earlier. David had been staying with his parents, Dale and Ramona, and also with his girlfriend of three years, JoAnn Ellis. 

But according to Connie’s daughters, Stacy and Amber, David was angry that day and had threatened Connie. They also said that David had threatened to burn the house down in the past. 

Connie’s body was found in a utility room; she was lying face down with a pair of sewing scissors underneath her body. 

Investigators said that Connie had died of smoke and soot inhalation, and according to the autopsy report there was no tissue left. 

And it seemed like after investigators went through the charred remains of her trailer, they had a lot more questions. Was Connie’s death due to an accidental fire, or murder and arson? 

We had heard from Connie’s daughters that Connie’s  body was found in a junk room, a bedroom that they kind of used as a utility room.  If there was a fire, why would Connie shut herself into a closet in the back of the utility room, a place where there was no escape?  Or could someone have put her in that closet?

If you have a case you’d like Catherine Townsend to look into, you can reach out to us at our Hell and Gone Murder Line at 678-744-6145. 

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