Crime & Safety
Lonoke County, AR Body Found: Man Charged With Abuse of Corpse
Lonoke County, AR – A 32 year old Lonoke man has been charged with abuse of a corpse after authorities discovered the dismembered remains of a man in a wooded area near a mobile home, Arkansas State P
By Lauren Beckett · 2026-10-06T00:31:11.068Z
Lonoke County, AR – A 32 year old Lonoke man has been charged with abuse of a corpse after authorities discovered the dismembered remains of a man in a wooded area near a mobile home, Arkansas State Police announced Monday.
According to Arkansas State Police, the Lonoke County Sheriff's Office requested assistance from the agency's Criminal Investigation Division after the remains were discovered Saturday on Joe Baty Road.
Investigators believe the victim was killed in another state before his remains were transported to Arkansas. Authorities have not publicly identified the victim or disclosed where they believe the homicide occurred.
Police identified Claude Smith Jr., 32, of Lonoke, as the man charged with abuse of a corpse in connection with the discovery.
Smith was already being held at the Pulaski County Detention Center following a Sept. 19 arrest after a pursuit involving the North Little Rock Police Department , according to State Police. Authorities said Smith was driving a vehicle belonging to the victim when he was arrested.
The agency said law enforcement in the state where the victim is believed to have been killed will handle the homicide investigation. Arkansas State Police will investigate alleged criminal activity that occurred within Arkansas.
Authorities said additional charges are expected as the investigation develops. No further details about the circumstances surrounding the man's death were immediately released.
The charge against Smith is an accusation, and he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.