The McDonald County Sheriff’s Office in Missouri has released a statement that brings the case of Shawna Beth Garber to an end.
The case is now cleared by exception as the suspect in her murder passed away.
“It is believed that Talfey Reeves (deceased as of November 15, 2021), picked Shauna up from the Tanglewood/Ginger Blue area of Missouri State Highway 59.
Reeves bound her wrists and feet “hog tying” her, and transported her to an abandoned farmhouse where it is believed that he sexually assaulted her and overdosed her with drugs.
Talfey Reeves was well known by the community and to Law Enforcement, had Reeves still been alive today charges of First Degree Murder would have been requested from the McDonald County Prosecuting Attorney Maleia Cheney.”
Shawna Beth Garber’s skeletal remains were found on Dec. 2, 1990, in a weeded area near an abandoned farmhouse on Oscar Talley Road, east of Lanagan, in McDonald County, Missouri. Her identity was found through forensic genealogy.
Reeves had been on law enforcement’s radar since the beginning as he was a “menace to the community” and served time in prison. However, there never was any evidence to tie him to the victim or the crime scene. That is, until his death. After he passed away, people were no longer afraid to talk to police. Read more about that here.
Rest in peace, Shawna Beth Garber.