Mistie Vance, 32, has been charged with first-degree in the murder of a county man.
Texas County Prosecutor Mike Anderson filed the charge against the suspect this evening. Vance also faces an armed criminal action charge. She is held in the county jail.
Authorities said drugs played a role in last week’s murder of a southeast Texas County man.
Mistie Vance, 32, was charged early Friday evening with first-degree murder and armed criminal action in the death of Monty Beltz, 56, who was shot in the abdomen with a shotgun in his yard as he returned to his Highway Y residence, said Texas County Sheriff Carl Watson.
Beltz’s brother arrived on the scene shortly after the shooting, disarming Vance who fled into the woods with another man. The sibling contacted authorities, which sparked a manhunt in the southern part of the county. Monty Beltz was flown from the scene to St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, where he died at about 1 a.m. Friday.
Watson said both were waiting for Beltz. He identified Vance as the shooter. According to a court filing on Friday, “Evidence shows Miss Vance shot Mr. Beltz and then backed his pickup up to where he laid in the yard. Miss Vance reloaded her weapon and was going to shoot Mr. Beltz again when she was interrupted by a Beltz family member.”
Vance, who court documents say confessed to the crime, was familiar with the victim. Vance told authorities she went to the home to retrieve some items and obtain some of Beltz’s prescription medication. The statement was confirmed by man who also was on the scene, according to court documents.
The two waited for the victim to come home, according to the man, who said Vance put two shotgun shells in her pocket and walked toward the house to obtain the prescription drugs. A fight ensued between Vance and Beltz for an hour and later extended to the residence’s lawn. According to a court document, the man said he saw Vance walk backwards, telling Beltz “not to make her do it.” Moments later, Vance shot Beltz, he told lawmen.
Both fled the area. The man turned himself into Mountain View police, and Vance was arrested on an Arroll doorstep.
Vance’s charges carries a penalty of life in prison or death. She is being held at the Texas County Jail in lieu of $2 million.
Watson said the investigation continues.