Early this morning, an arrest was made in conjunction with the investigation
into the murder of Barbara Dubois.
Sources say that Erma Webb, 52, of
Oxford was taken into custody at her home by members of the Yoknapatawpha County
Sheriff's Department.
Sheriff's department officials would not confirm
nor deny that Webb had been arrested, and they refused to comment on any
charges that may have been filed.
Barbara Dubois was found murdered on May 1. The body of the
23-year-old beauty queen was discovered in the Yoknapatawpha County
Conference Center. She was a finalist in the Yoknapatawpha County
Literature Festival Beauty Pageant.
Webb's daughter, Rachel, was also a
finalist in the pageant.
Details regarding the arrest and Webb's possible involvement in the
murder are sketchy at this point, but sheriff's department spokesperson
Elizabeth Jones said investigators plan to issue a statement in the
coming days.
Pageant judge Frank Margold was stunned at the news of Webb's arrest.
"She was very driven," he said when contacted by phone. "And
Rachel
was always very driven. But this is just hard to believe."
Calls to the Webb residence were unanswered.
Check back for updates on this developing story.