06/11/1990 - Report #180 - Victim: Shirley Ruth Bearden - Location: Hillsdale, MO

MCS Report #180

Classification: Homicide

Requesting Agency: Hillsdale Police Department

Date of Activation: 06/11/1990

Commander and Department: Capt. John O'Rando, St. Ann PD

Deputy Report Officer and Department: Sgt. Gene Noblin, Fenton PD

Victim: Shirley Ruth Bearden

Suspect: Richard Anthony Jennings

The Hillsdale Police Department requested the assistance of the Major Case Squad in investigating the death of Shirley Bearden (age 43). At approximately 10:35am, police officers responded to the dead end of 68th Street for a report of a person down. There they located the decomposing body of Shirley Bearden in the Greenwood Cemetery. She had been shot and killed. Her body was identified through dental records. She had been reported as a missing person on 06/08/1990 to the St. Louis County Police Department.

As a result of this investigation, Shirley’s boyfriend, Richard Jennings (age 36), was charged with Murder 1st Degree and Armed Criminal Action. He was arrested on a no-bond warrant.