October 7th, 2026 Local News
St. Francois Co., Mo. (KFMO) - The Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control, or DDCC, has announced the arrest of a Hazelwood man in connection with the September 5, 2026 death of a Fairdealing woman in St. Francois County.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 49-year-old Albert L. Walker is facing charges in connection with the death of 46-year-old Destiny S. Hooker.
The Leadington Police Department requested DDCC assistance in investigating a suspicious death on September 5. During the morning hours, law enforcement officers located a deceased body along U.S. Highway 67, just north of the St. Francois County Fairgrounds.
The deceased was later positively identified as Hooker after a National Crime Information Center computer check revealed she had been entered as a missing and endangered person out of Wright City.
DDCC investigators followed up on investigative leads and identified Walker as a person of interest. During the investigation, investigators reviewed evidence and placed Walker in the area where Hooker’s body was recovered.
Investigators subsequently developed probable cause connecting Walker to Hooker’s death. A probable cause statement was forwarded to the St. Francois County Prosecutor for consideration of felony charges.
The Highway Patrol says Wright City police officers had previously arrested Walker on unrelated charges and transported him to the Warren County Jail for questioning, where DDCC investigators were contacted.
On September 5, the St. Francois County Prosecuting Attorney formally charged Walker with first-degree murder, armed criminal action, and abandonment of a corpse. A subsequent warrant was issued for his arrest.
Walker remains incarcerated at the Warren County Jail without bond.
Anyone with information regarding the incident is encouraged to contact Corporal J. Ashby at 636-300-2800.