Clara Braxton Obituary, Death: Police Investigate Woman’s Death Found in Truck After Shootout with Armed Man

Clara Braxton Obituary, Death – The Arkansas State Police are investigating the death of Clara Braxton, a 45-year-old woman from Independence County, Arkansas, whose body was discovered following a police-involved shooting in Missouri. The investigation into her death began after the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office in Missouri requested assistance from the Arkansas State Police’s Criminal Investigation Division. Authorities initially believed Braxton was killed in Arkansas, although her body was found in Missouri during a series of events that unfolded on Sunday.

The situation began when Festus Police responded to a report of an active shooter at a restaurant in Festus, a suburb of St. Louis, Missouri. The suspect, later identified as 40-year-old Jarrett W. Cousins from Bradford, Arkansas, fled the scene in a Dodge Ram truck. Police from Festus, along with officers from nearby Crystal City, pursued the suspect. The chase ended when Cousins’ vehicle crashed into a concrete median and came to a stop in front of a shopping center.

Cousins exited the truck wearing body armor and armed with multiple firearms. Police said he immediately began firing at officers, prompting them to return fire. Cousins was shot and later transported to a hospital, where he is currently in critical but stable condition. Fortunately, no officers were injured during the exchange.

While responding to the scene, officers discovered the body of Clara Braxton in the front passenger seat of Cousins’ truck. The discovery raised concerns about her involvement in the situation. Her remains were sent to the Missouri Crime Lab for further examination to determine the cause of her death.

In the aftermath of the incident, Cousins was arrested and charged with one count of first-degree assault or attempted serious physical injury or special victim, as well as one count of armed criminal action. He is currently being held without bond while awaiting further legal proceedings.

Arkansas State Police have since taken over the investigation into Braxton’s death. Once the investigation is completed, the findings will be handed over to the prosecutor in Independence County, Arkansas, who will decide whether charges should be filed in connection to her death.

The case remains under investigation as authorities work to piece together the events leading to Braxton’s tragic death and determine the extent of her involvement in the shooting incident. The involvement of multiple law enforcement agencies, including those from both Missouri and Arkansas, has made this case particularly complex, and the authorities are continuing to search for answers.