Hunting death ruled accident

The results of an autopsy show that a Texas County hunter died Thursday as the result of an accident.

Jerry Elliott, protection district supervisor with the Missouri Department of Conservation, said Melba Beasley, 54, was found fatally wounded that evening from an unintentional self-inflicted gunshot wound. She was pronounced dead at the scene by Texas County Coroner Thomas Whittaker. 

An autopsy was conducted Friday, and the results were announced early Saturday morning. 

Mrs. Beasley had been hunting in an area off Highway DD and Samoa Road southeast of Houston, Elliott said. 

Officers with the Missouri Department of Conservation, Missouri State Highway Patrol and Texas County Sheriff’s Department responded and were on the scene for several hours. 

Services for Mrs. Beasley, under the direction of Evans Funeral Home, are Tuesday at Ozark Baptist Church. Among survivors are her husband, Mike, who is the Houston postmaster, and two sons.

EARLIER: Authorities are investigating an incident that occurred Thursday night in Texas County in which an individual was killed on a property near Highway DD east of Houston.

According to an agent at the Missouri Department of Conservation regional office in West Plains, the case is being investigated by the MDC and the Missouri State Highway Patrol, and representatives of both agencies were at the scene yesterday and are there again today. Deer season is under way in the state.

The agent said he was able to confirm that the incident took place, but was unable to provide other information pending completion of the investigation, which includes an autopsy this afternoon.