Press Release From Shannon County Sheriff:
The Shannon County Sheriff’s Office is announcing a major development in the investigation into the death of Robbie Crites, who was murdered 7.5 years ago and whose death was originally ruled a drowning on the Jack’s Fork River.
After reopening the case at the beginning of 2025, investigators with the Shannon County Sheriff’s Office conducted an extensive and thorough review of the original investigation, evidence, and circumstances surrounding Robbie’s death. Through that reinvestigation, new information and evidence came to light that led investigators to believe the child’s death was not accidental.
During the course of the review, investigators identified significant unanswered questions and inconsistencies in the original case, which ultimately led to the decision to pursue the investigation further.
As a result of this investigation, three individuals have now been arrested and charged with Murder in the Second Degree, a Class A Felony, in connection with the death of Robbie Crites.
Those arrested are:
Zachary D. Watson – Charged with Murder in the Second Degree (Class A Felony). Bond set at $250,000 cash only.
Ronald D. Brawley III – Charged with Murder in the Second Degree (Class A Felony). Bond set at $250,000 cash only.
Austin D. Womack – Charged with Murder in the Second Degree (Class A Felony). Bond set at $250,000 cash only.
A child’s life was taken, and for seven and a half years the truth sat buried. That ends today. Our investigators refused to let this case remain closed when the facts did not add up. This office is committed to seeking justice, no matter how much time has passed.
This case remains active and ongoing, and additional information may be released as the investigation continues.
If you have any information regarding the death of Robbie Crites, no matter how small you believe it may be, I strongly encourage you to please come forward. Even the smallest detail can help bring the full truth to light.
I would like to thank the following agencies for their assistance and cooperation during the arrests:
•Fulton County Sheriff’s Office
•Mammoth Spring Police Department
•16th Judicial Drug Task Force
•Arkansas State Police
•Missouri State Highway Patrol Fugitive Task Force
•Oregon County Sheriff’s Office
•Howell County Sheriff’s Office
•West Plains Police Department
•Winona Police Department
I would also like to thank Shannon County Prosecuting Attorney William “Bill” Seay for his dedication and commitment to this case.
A special thanks is also extended to the men and women of the Shannon County Sheriff’s Office who worked tirelessly and remained committed to uncovering the truth in this case.
The largest thank you goes to the members of the Shannon County Law Enforcement Restitution Fund Board for affording the Shannon County Sheriff’s Office the opportunity to purchase body cameras. Without that opportunity, investigators would not have had the resources necessary to ultimately bring this case to a close.
Further updates will be provided as the investigation continues.
“All individuals named in this release are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.”
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