EARLIER: Abducted from parking lot, woman allegedly killed by man she had restraining order against

A 56-year-old Cabool woman was murdered Sunday after her abduction from a Houston business parking lot.

Texas County Sheriff Rowdy Douglas said Susan J. Campbell died of multiple gunshot wounds. The suspect is identified as Kenneth R. Clark, 52, also of Cabool, who is in critical condition from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.  

The Missouri State Highway Patrol issued an endangered person’s advisory after the reported abduction at about noon on the Walmart Supermarket parking lot in Houston. Witnesses reported a woman was taken from a red truck on the lot and forced into a gray Nissan Altima, a rental car. A door was open on the truck as authorities arrived on the lot that is on South U.S. 63.

Based on information obtained, the vehicle was linked to Clark of Cabool, who was identified as the kidnapper. He was charged Monday by Texas County Prosecutor Parke Stevens Jr. Clark was ordered to be held without bond.

Officers from several agencies scattered to try to find the car, which had been believed to have left south on U.S. 63. Officers checked property north of Cabool purchased by the couple in April 2018, as well as river access points and area highways.

Based on information from a cell phone, it was learned Clark, 52, had stayed at a St. Robert motel since Aug. 16. Officers entered a room and found Clark’s belongings and a cell phone.

Douglas said at about 2 p.m. the vehicle was reported near Walt’s Convenience Store, a business situated at Highways 17 and 32 at Roby. A witness said Clark, who was covered in blood, had reported that a woman was seriously injured. Authorities arrived and found the victim dead and Clark with the critical head wound. He was arrested by the state patrol at 2:11 p.m. on charges of first-degree murder, armed criminal action and violation of an order of protection obtained by Campbell, who was pronounced dead at the scene by Douglas, as acting coroner. Douglas said Clark also faces a kidnapping charge. 

A medical helicopter arrived at a nearby land zoning and was assisted by the Roby Fire Department. Clark was transported to a St. Louis hospital.

Douglas said a separate crime scene was found at Lake Drive near the Roby Lake area. While processing the scene, officers found a handgun and several shell casings.

The investigation continues by the Texas County Sheriff’s Department, Missouri State Highway Patrol and Houston Police Department, Douglas said this evening.