Springfield, Mo. ~ Springfield police have identified 39-year-old Jeffrey Garrett from St. Louis as the suspect in the July 5 homicide of Jack Osborn, 46, and Melissa Smith (previously identified as Melissa Evans), 44. The Springfield Homicide Unit made this announcement on Tuesday.

The case was presented to the Greene County Prosecutor's Office on July 9, and Garrett has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder and two counts of armed criminal action. He is currently not in custody.

According to authorities, the incident occurred at 3:12 a.m. on July 5 at a residence on W. Chestnut St. Officers responded to a report of two people shot and found Osborn with a gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The second victim, Evans, also had gunshot wounds and was taken to a local hospital where she later died. The families of both victims have been notified.

More on Missouriar

• Nigeria is next biggest crypto-mining country - Oneminers is investing millions
• Springfield: Lone Pine Avenue to close between Barton and Galloway streets beginning March 24
• Corcoran DeRonja Real Estate Welcomes Mechelle Fuquay as Its Newest Broker
• Matt Stuckert Joins Lineus Medical Board of Directors
• Fray Fitness Launches Redesigned Website to Enhance Customer Experience

At this time, there is no information available about the suspect or his whereabouts. Detectives are urging anyone with information about Garrett's location or this incident to contact the Springfield Police Department at 417-864-1755 or make an anonymous call to Crime Stoppers at 417-869-TIPS (8477) or online at p3tips.com.

The Greene County Prosecutor's Office has cautioned that the charges against Garrett are allegations and he is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.

This marks Springfield's fifth homicide investigation of 2024 and includes the sixth and seventh victims for the year. The investigation is ongoing as authorities work to gather more information about this tragic incident.

---

Show All News | Report Violation