NEWPORT, Ore. – Murphy Henry, 54, was arrested Thursday for the murder of car dealership owner David Staggs, who had been missing since January 2022. Henry faces charges of murder, abuse of a corpse, and tampering with evidence, after human remains believed to be Staggs were discovered in a shallow grave in a remote area of Oregon.
Staggs, who was last seen on January 29, 2022, was reported missing in February of the same year. The remains were uncovered by police on Wednesday, and the Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Office is still working to confirm the identity.
Henry’s arrest follows that of Jack Baird, who was arrested earlier this month on charges of abuse of a corpse in connection with Staggs’ disappearance. Baird was reportedly seen digging in Staggs’ backyard shortly after his disappearance. A probable cause affidavit also connects Baird to the case, mentioning that neighbors heard screaming from his home the day Staggs vanished.
The investigation, led by the Lincoln County District Attorney’s Cold Case Unit, is ongoing as authorities continue to pursue leads in the case.
