Miss Arkansas Pageant contestant found dead.

December 21, 200520 yr

http://www.5newsonline.com/Global/story.asp?S=4254754

Arkansas Tech student found dead in possible murder

Dec 19, 2005, 12:17 AM CST

RUSSELLVILLE - Russellville police remain tight lipped about what caused the death of an Arkansas Tech University student. Police were called to a Russellville apartment Thursday night just before 7 p.m.

Police wouldn't release many details other than it's an apparent homicide of a 19-year-old female Arkansas Tech student. Officials at the university confirmed sophomore Nona Dirksmeyer is that student. University leaders say they're cooperating with police and the school is directing all questions to local law enforcement, but they're answering very few questions...including the location of the crime scene.

5NEWS learned police responded to an apartment Thursday night, the home of Dirksmeyer. Coroner Leonard Kraut wouldn't say how she died, but he said she could have been dead for several hours before she was found.

Neighbors say the last time they saw her was Wednesday night. They say Dirksmeyer lived in the apartment for about six months, and never bothered anyone. They say they told police there was a car parked outside of her apartment early Thursday afternoon that they didn't recognize.

On Friday afternoon, police were still getting evidence from the apartment and a police car has been temporarily stationed outside of her apartment. The coroner says both he and police have been interviewing people, but wouldn't say anymore about the investigation.

Nona Dirksmeyer is a 2004 graduate of Dover high school. Earlier this year she was crowned Miss Petit Jean Valley, and she was a contestant in the Miss Arkansas Pageant.

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