Report: Diamond rented vehicle used in removal of Williams' body

According to the Blytheville Police Department court synopsis, 26-year-old Mariah Diamond rented a vehicle used to remove the body of 23-year-old Kevondre Williams, who was fatally shot in the head and found on South Elm Street in August.

Diamond was arraigned in Chickasawba District Court in Blytheville, Thursday, on charges of first-degree murder and tampering with evidence in the slaying.

According to reports, a city of Blytheville worker discovered Williams’ body while mowing the roadside of the rural area on South Elm around 2 p.m. Monday, Aug. 19.

“Upon investigation, the body was found to be laying in the ditch, with an apparent gunshot wound to the head,” the report reads. “The victim was concealed in a blanket, and a red in color carpet.”

The court synopsis said Williams was last seen alive by family members on the morning of Aug. 13.

The report said the victim’s mother told police that she dropped him off on Byrum Road that morning, and that Williams was going to an unknown apartment in the 1000 block of Byrum Road.

“During an interview with detectives, the victim’s grandmother stated that she had been contacted by the victim following him having been dropped off at 1004 Byrum Road, and the victim was asking her to come get him,” the report reads. “The victim’s grandmother stated that the victim did not know what apartment number he was at, however, stated that it was behind her (grandmother’s) client’s apartment, which was in the D building, possibly being D-4.”

During the investigation, police developed probable cause and a warrant was issued for Jervontae Cox, who was charged with murder first degree, tampering with physical evidence and possession of a firearm by certain persons.

After Cox’s arrest, police received information “regarding a vehicle that was believed to have been used in the removal of the victim’s body,” the report said.

According to the report, the silver Kia Optima was rented by Diamond from Cavenaugh Kia in Jonesboro during the time of the homicide and returned by Diamond on Aug. 20, the day following the discovery of Williams’ body.

“They stated it was new when it was rented to her (Diamond),” the report reads. “Employees then reported that when the vehicle was returned, they observed areas of concern inside the truck of the vehicle. Employees then showed detectives several stains in the vehicle’s trunk, where it appeared something had been loaded inside of the trunk and hauled. Employees also reported that the vehicle had not been used, or rented to anyone else since it has been turned in to them.”

Detectives sent swabs and tape lifts from the trunk to the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory.

The report said on Tuesday, police learned the results, noting a swab taken from the trunk knob contained DNA that matched Williams’ DNA.

On Wednesday, Diamond was arrested on murder warrants.

The report said Diamond denied any knowledge of the homicide and could not explain why Williams’ DNA was inside the trunk of the vehicle.

Diamond’s bond was set at $100,000, and she is scheduled to appear in Mississippi County Circuit Court on Feb. 7.