Guthrie woman charged for murdering her mother

Lola Crews
Lola Crews

The following story was updated at 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25, 2020, with the latest information from the Callaway County Sheriff's Office.

GUTHRIE, Mo. - Guthrie woman Lola Katherine Crews, 62, was arrested Friday for the murder of her mother, Frances Keel, 80.

Callaway County sheriff's deputies found Keel deceased from what appeared to be multiple stab wounds Friday at a residence in the 8000 block of Broadway Street in Guthrie, according to the Callaway County Sheriff's Office.

A concerned family member alerted authorities after Crews allegedly confided that she had stabbed and killed Keel, according to the probable cause statement. The family member also told authorities that Crews suffers from schizophrenia and might not have been taking her medication.

The probable cause statement from Sgt. Ryan Stiffler indicates Crews was possibly suffering from "some sort of mental crisis" while being interviewed by deputies. Crews allegedly confessed to the crime and told deputies she believed Keel was going to have her "committed for life," according to the statement.

Crews also confessed to attempting to strangle and smother the victim before ultimately stabbing and killing Keel, according to the statement. Deputies found a 9.5-inch knife in the residence.

Callaway County Prosecuting Attorney Christopher Wilson charged Crews with felony offenses of first degree murder and armed criminal action Saturday morning. She is being held in Callaway County Jail without bond.

 

EARLIER COVERAGE: 

GUTHRIE, Mo. - A murder investigation is underway near Guthrie, according to Callaway County Sheriff Clay Chism.

Chism announced the investigation in a press release Friday evening. The sole suspect has been apprehended, and there is no known threat to public safety in the area, he added.

At 12:22 p.m. sheriff's deputies responded to a residence in the 8000 block of Broadway Street in Guthrie for a suspicious incident. Upon the arrival of deputies at 12:40 p.m., they found a resident deceased. Foul play was evident, Chism said.

Neither the name of the victim nor the name of the suspect have yet been made public. Chism said he plans to release further details either late tonight or early Saturday.