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Report: Maumelle Police Close Murder-Suicide Case Involving UALR Professor

2 min read

Arkansas Business news partner THV 11 News reports that Maumelle police have closed that murder-suicide case from last weekend involving University of Arkansas at Little Rock professor James Wilbanks:

Preliminary autopsy reports have confirmed that a UALR professor committed suicide in a double murder-suicide incident in Maumelle.

According Capt. Jim Hansard with Maumelle police, preliminary findings from the Arkansas State Crime Lab revealed that James Wilbanks committed suicide. Police are not looking for any suspects in the case.

Wilbanks’ wife Tatiana, and his sister, Elizabeth, were also found dead when emergency crews responded to a fire Friday night at the Wilbanks home on Auriel Circle. Police recovered a gun from the scene. All three had gunshot wounds.

The Arkansas Times reports that investigators found little to explain the killings.

James Wilbanks was a professor in the UALR College of Business, and had written a commentary piece for Arkansas Business in October. On Saturday, Jane Wayland, dean of the college, released this statement:

“We do not know the facts and circumstances of this tragic incident, and we are very saddened and shocked. We do know that Dr. Wilbanks was an accomplished researcher and professor of management. Our thoughts and prayers go out to their family and friends.”

Update: More from the Associated Press:

Maumelle police say a preliminary autopsy report has confirmed a college professor killed his wife and sister before setting their shared home on fire and committing suicide.

Police spokesman Capt. Jim Hansard says police aren’t seeking suspects in the slayings and that the investigation is now closed. There is no known motive in the killings.

Firefighters on Friday discovered the bodies of 41-year-old James Wilbanks; his 27-year-old wife, Tatiana “Tanya” Wilbanks; and his 31-year-old sister, Elizabeth Wilbanks at a Maumelle home. All three had gunshot wounds to the head. Two dogs also were found shot to death.

Hansard says investigators found a lighter and handgun near James Wilbanks’ body.

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