Two arrests made in recent homicide
A 26-year-old woman was found dead at the Red Roof Inn on Oct. 8.
Published Oct. 13, 2009
The Columbia Police Department has made two arrests in the homicide of a Columbia resident, a CPD news release stated.
On Thursday, Oct. 8, CPD officers responded to a disturbance call at the Red Roof Inn and found 26-year-old Nicole Sue Crumby lying in the Inn’s parking lot.
Crumby was pronounced dead on the scene and apparently died of a gunshot wound to the head, the news release stated.
Crumby’s family is presently in the St. Louis area, said CPD Detective Sgt. Ken Hammond of the Major Crimes Unit.
Based on witness accounts and evidence from the scene, police believe the homicide resulted from a botched drug transaction.
Witnesses reported a white vehicle leaving the hotel at a high rate of speed. Hammond said the description of the vehicle and a possible name of the suspect were broadcasted and the Boone County Sheriff’s Department was able to locate vehicle about an hour later in Midway.
“It was good police work on the part of the sheriff’s department,” Hammond said.
The two occupants of the vehicle, Blake N. Logan and Nicole Mae Palmer, were attempting to leave the area when police located them, the news release stated.
Logan and Palmer were taken into custody pending further investigation and were later arrested.
Logan has been arrested for second-degree murder, first-degree robbery and armed criminal action. CPD’s investigation of the crime indicates Logan was acquainted with Crumby prior to the homicide.
Palmer was arrested for hindering prosecution, distribution/delivery/manufacturing/possession of a controlled substance and use or possession of drug paraphernalia, the news release stated.
At this point, CPD investigators do not suspect Palmer took an active role in the homicide, Hammond said.
Hammond said the number of homicides in Columbia varies annually, usually ranging from one to 10. It is not uncommon for them to be related to drug sales.
“Quite often a good number of them are, but that’s not the only cause,” he said.
CPD’s Major Crimes Unit is investigating the incident in what is called a major case approach, Hammond said. Investigators on the case are given different, specific responsibilities and leads to follow.
