UPDATE: Arkansas Authorities Charge Man With Murder After Discovery of Human Remains

UPDATE 6/12/25 6AM:  The victim in the Mount Ida murder investigation that started out as a missing person has been identified as Kevin Smalling, 53, from Mount Ida.

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Earlier this week:

Several Arkansas law enforcement agencies have come together in an investigation that has led to the arrest of a man in connection with a recent death.

The Arkansas State Police Criminal Investigation Division Special Agents arrested 53-year-old Billy Waldon of Mount Ida this past Saturday, June 7.

According to a press release, on that same day, the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office requested help from the Arkansas State Police Criminal Investigation Division with a missing person investigation. Once the Special Agents arrived at the scene, they knew something was up because they found evidence that pointed to foul play.

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They soon suspected Waldon, and he was taken into custody. Investigators later that day found human remains near the suspect's property in Mount Ida. As a result of the discovery, Waldon is now facing several serious charges for alleged crimes, including First Degree Murder, Abuse of a Corpse, Kidnapping, Tampering with Physical Evidence, plus Refusal to Submit to Arrest and Fleeing.

He is currently being held at the Montgomery County Detention Center with a bond set at $100,000.

The human remains that were discovered near Waldon's property will be sent to the Arkansas State Crime Lab in Little Rock for identification, along with trying to determine the official cause and manner of the death. This is an ongoing investigation..