Second Suspect Arrested in Murder
Posted/updated on: June 14, 2018 at 2:53 pm
TYLER — Another suspect is arrested in the recent Smith County murder of 43-year-old Heath Bearden. Officials say 56-year-old Dwayne Welch tried to destroy evidence after the murder had occurred. He’s charged with tampering or fabricating physical evidence, a third-degree felony. Bond was set at $150,000. 40-year-old Larry Cowart of Tyler remains jailed in last Saturday’s shooting death. Sheriff Larry Smith says deputies were initially sent to County Road 1145 on Saturday but later found the victim during a Tyler traffic stop. Bearden was dead on arrival of EMS. Cowart remains in jail as the investigation continues.
