A man in Missouri, David Alan Stewart, 40, has been arrested for murder. At first, police thought another man, Jerry McLay, 48, had killed himself, but they now believe it was murder.
In November 2024, police found McLay dead in his home with a gunshot wound to the head. They initially thought it was suicide because he was found with a gunshot wound. However, they couldn’t find a gun or bullet casing at the scene, which made them suspicious... Continue reading here ▶
Detectives found a security camera that showed McLay leaving his house in a red truck and returning shortly after with a gold SUV following him. The SUV left, then returned 20 minutes later. The video shows someone who looks like Stewart driving the SUV with a window rolled down.
A few minutes later, a sound like a gunshot is heard on the video. The SUV then leaves for good. The next morning, a mail carrier is seen dropping off a package.
Text messages also suggest Stewart was with McLay the day he died. Stewart sent a text saying he’d be right back because he forgot money, and McLay replied “Ok.”
Over the next few months, Stewart reportedly sold several guns that had been stolen from Nevada and Arizona. Some of these guns were linked to a place in Bates County.
In January, police searched Stewart’s home because of the stolen guns. They arrested him and interviewed him.
Stewart admitted he went to McLay’s house the day he died to buy drugs. He was then charged with McLay’s murder.
The sheriff said they investigate all deaths as possible homicides until they have proof otherwise. He praised the hard work of the investigators. Stewart is currently in jail with a $1 million bail.
