UPDATE: The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office has issued a first-degree arrest warrant for Cape Girardeau, Mo. resident Brandon L. Banks in correlation with Marsha Ann Brown’s death, according to a Jackson County Sheriff’s Office press release.

The release describes Banks as a black male, age 28, 5’10” and 165 lbs. He is considered armed and extremely dangerous, and anyone with information to his whereabouts is asked to contact the sheriff’s office at 618-684-2177. He is believed to have connections in both the Carbondale and St. Louis areas and was last seen driving a red 1999 Toyota Solara with the Missouri registration AG8D4F, according to the release.

ORIGINAL STORY: The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office has identified the body found south of Makanda as 40-year-old Marsha Ann Brown of Cape Girardeau, Mo.

Advertisement

The body was discovered today at approximately 9:40 a.m. Tuesday when a motorist passed by near the corner of Potter’s Road and U.S. South 51.

Lieutenant Mike O’leary of the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department confirmed the body had been removed from the scene and investigation pending.

“At this point we’re not releasing any information,” he said. “We’re in the early stages of the investigation and trying to put the facts together.”

Evidence gathered indicates the body had been at the scene for less than 24 hours. An autopsy to determine cause of death is underway.

Jackson County Sheriff’s Department released a statement earlier today saying cause of death will not be immediately released.

“The cause of death and other details surrounding this death are being withheld at this time as not to interfere with the ongoing investigation,” the statement reads.

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.

Advertisement*