Warrant issued for 67-year-old in Joplin death investigation

A warrant has been issued for the arrest of a 67-year-old woman regarding the death investigation at 2602 S. Vermont. Read the full press release below:

On November 13th, 2019 a warrant was issued for Abandonment Of A Corpse for Barbara J. Watters, 67 years of age of 2602 S. Vermont Joplin, MO in reference to this investigation. The bond amount has been set at $100,000 cash.

If you have any information on the whereabouts of Watters, you are asked to contact the Joplin Police Department immediately or your local law enforcement agency. Attached are photos of Watters, her vehicle license plate, and an exemplar photo of her last known vehicle.

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On November 11th, 2019 Joplin Police Department investigators were conducting a neighborhood canvass in reference to an arson investigation that took place at 2605 S. New Hampshire Ave. During the neighborhood canvass information was developed on an unrelated case. Information was brought forward that a deceased person was inside the residence of 2602 S. Vermont Ave. Multiple follow ups by investigations were conducted on November 12th, 2019 by Joplin Police investigators. A search warrant for 2602 S. Vermont Ave was executed by the Joplin Police Department on November 12th, 2019. The search located a deceased adult male in a freezer inside the residence. The investigation is on-going. An autopsy is being scheduled for the deceased male. Identification is being withheld pending notification of next of kin and positive identification of the body.