Arrest Made in Murder of Lerna Man

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Published on July 6 2023 4:30 pm
Last Updated on July 7 2023 2:23 pm
Written by Greg Sapp

(LANCE NEWCOMB)

An arrest has been made in the murder of a Lerna man.

Illinois State Police report the arrest of 24-year-old Lance T. Newcomb of Robinson on one count of First Degree Murder.

On June 8, the state police Division of Criminal Investigation Zone 8 was requested by the Cumberland County Sheriff's Department to investigate the disappearance of 55-year-old Ryan L. Waggoner of Lerna. 

On June 27, the investigation led DCI agents to a rural address in Crawford County where human remains were located. Three individuals, including Newcomb, were arrested on a charge of concealment of a homicidal death.

The remains Thursday were positively identified as those of Waggoner. Cumberland County State's Attorney Bryan Robbins charged Newcomb late Thursday with one count of first degree murder.

Newcomb remains in custody in Crawford County Jail.