Inside the Mysterious Murder of William DuBois: A Tale of Neighborhood Secrets, Suspicion, and Stolen Lives

On the morning of July 11th, 2019, a seemingly routine welfare check in Fort Smith, Arkansas unraveled into a chilling mystery that would shake an entire neighborhood. The victim: 72-year-old William DuBois Jr., a retired schoolteacher known as “Bill” by his neighbors. The discovery of his lifeless body inside his home—violently beaten and hidden in the bathroom—ignited a whirlwind investigation steeped in local drama, clandestine relationships, and unnerving clues.

A Disturbing Discovery

It all began when Officer Hendricks responded to a call from neighbor Denton Stringer, who reported a loud noise days earlier and noted that William’s car had been missing for several days. Though it was initially unclear whether DuBois had simply left town, Hendricks grew suspicious due to the overwhelming smell emanating from the house.

When officers gained access to the property, nothing could prepare them for what they found: DuBois was dead, the house ransacked, valuables missing, and his red Ford Focus gone. The lack of forced entry suggested a chilling truth—whoever killed William likely had a key.

A Web of Neighborhood Intrigue

Officers canvassed the area, speaking with local business owners and neighbors. What emerged was a complex network of tensions and interactions. The nearby shopkeeper revealed that DuBois was well-known in the area and had recently been approached by Denton Stringer, who claimed his daughter stole his phone. This same daughter, according to locals, was frequently involved in domestic disputes at Stringer’s residence—further complicating the picture.

The shopkeeper didn’t mince words: “If anything happened to Bill, it would be because of them.”

Investigators began to suspect that the motive may not have been robbery alone. The front door was locked from the outside, and the attacker had left no signs of forced entry, which suggested familiarity and access—not characteristics of a random intruder.

Tracing the Missing Car

The case took a pivotal turn when William’s son arrived on scene and informed police that the car had a GPS tracking device, linked to a phone app accessible by William’s wife, Susan. This led officers to a new address, where the red Ford Focus was found parked outside a residence.

The woman driving the car? Taylor Alkins, a former student of William DuBois. When confronted by Officer Hendricks, Taylor appeared calm, even indifferent, offering a chilling explanation: “I don’t know. I don’t pay attention to him. He ain’t nothing to me.”

But this casual demeanor couldn’t erase the fact that she was caught driving a vehicle belonging to a recently murdered man—a man she knew.

The Scene Inside: Clues Left Behind

Returning to the crime scene, officers meticulously catalogued the evidence. Blood spatter lined the bathroom door frame. William’s wallet, phone, and television were missing. Red fibers—possibly from clothing or a blanket—were found throughout the house. Everything pointed to a personal, violent encounter rather than a calculated robbery.

Given the state of the body and the odor, William had likely been dead for more than 24 hours. The lack of signs of forced entry only deepened suspicions that the killer was someone close, or someone he trusted enough to let inside.

Denton Stringer: Concerned Neighbor or Complicit Player?

Much of the early suspicion fell on Denton Stringer, whose involvement began with the initial welfare check call. But his account raised questions. Why had he waited so long to report strange sounds and a missing vehicle? Why had he told neighbors his daughter stole his phone, then asked them to call William?

Denton’s connection to William was more than neighborly. He had frequent interactions with him and may have had access to a spare key. Could his daughter—potentially Taylor Alkins or someone else—have been involved? Was Denton protecting her, or was he more deeply involved?

Police began treating both Denton and his daughter as persons of interest.

The Break in the Case

With Susan’s help, police tracked the car to a home. Bodycam footage shows officers approaching the house cautiously. When they knocked, occupants inside tried to slip out the back. Others refused to answer the door.

Among those inside was Taylor Alkins, who had possession of the stolen car. The evasive behavior heightened officers’ fears that they were dealing not just with theft, but possibly with a calculated killing.

Officers moved quickly to secure the premises, separating the individuals and beginning the process of identifying who was inside and what role—if any—they played in William’s murder.

A Community Torn Apart

The death of William DuBois and the suspicious behavior of those around him shattered the quiet of a working-class Fort Smith neighborhood. While a motive had not yet been confirmed, the police investigation pointed to a blend of personal betrayal, petty crime, and tragic consequences.

DuBois was known as a kind and trustworthy figure—a teacher and community member who looked out for his neighbors. The brutality of his death and the fact that someone he once taught, like Taylor Alkins, may have been involved, added a cruel irony to an already tragic story.

Ongoing Investigation and Legacy

At the time of this writing, Fort Smith authorities continue to piece together the full story. While Taylor Alkins’ possession of William’s car raises serious red flags, police have not ruled out the involvement of other individuals—especially Denton Stringer and the unnamed “daughter” mentioned in early interviews.

With the digital trail from the car’s GPS and mounting witness testimonies, it’s only a matter of time before the full truth comes to light.

But for many, justice cannot come soon enough.

Final Thoughts

The murder of William DuBois serves as a sobering reminder that sometimes danger lurks closest to home. What began as a simple welfare check spiraled into a tale of betrayal, suspicion, and broken trust.

And as police continue to uncover more about the people involved, the rest of Fort Smith is left to ask: Who really knew William DuBois—and who wanted him dead?

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