Police: Body of Arkansas real estate agent found

SCOTT, Ark. — Police discovered the body of a missing Arkansas real estate agent in a shallow grave at a concrete company early Tuesday, and a man has been jailed on suspicion of kidnapping and killing her, authorities said.

Investigators found the body of real estate agent Beverly Carter, 49, Tuesday at Argos Concrete Company in a rural area about 25 miles northeast of Little Rock. Carter’s body was found more than 20 miles away from Scott, where she had an appointment to show a house Thursday but hadn’t been seen since.

Arron Michael Lewis is being held in the Pulaski County jail on $1 million bail on suspicion of capital murder, robbery and kidnapping in connection with Carter’s death, authorities said. Formal charges from prosecutors are pending, and jail records don’t list an attorney.

Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Carl Minden said Lewis admitted kidnapping Carter but did not lead authorities to her body. He said investigators received a tip that led them to the concrete company where Carter’s body was found.

Lewis previously worked for the concrete company, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported Tuesday.

Lewis spoke briefly to reporters Tuesday morning as he was taken from the jail to the sheriff’s office, where he was to be interviewed again after spending more than 12 hours with investigators Monday.

When asked by reporters why Carter was targeted, Lewis responded: “Because she was just a woman that worked alone — a rich broker.” He denied killing her.

Police haven’t said how investigators linked Lewis to Carter’s disappearance, but the sheriff said more details will be released at a Tuesday afternoon news conference.

“I just want to express my condolences to the Carter family and her friends who have worked so hard to find her and these investigators who were committed to finding her,” Sheriff Doc Holladay told reporters Tuesday morning.