October 7th, 2026 Local News
St. Francois Co., Mo. (KFMO) - New details have been released in the investigation into the death of a Fairdealing woman whose body was found along U.S. Highway 67 in St. Francois County.
A probable-cause statement filed by the Missouri State Highway Patrol alleges that 49-year-old Albert L. Walker of Hazelwood stabbed 46-year-old Destiny S. Hooker before leaving her body along the highway.
The statement says Leadington Police responded around 7:52 a.m. September 5 to northbound U.S. Highway 67, approximately one mile north of the St. Francois County Fairgrounds, after receiving a report of a deceased woman in a ditch.
Missouri State Highway Patrol Division of Drug and Crime Control investigators responded and identified the woman. Investigators reported that she had apparent puncture and stab wounds, including defensive wounds.
An NCIC check showed the woman had been entered as a missing and endangered person by the Wright City Police Department in Warren County.
According to the probable-cause statement, Wright City police had contacted Walker shortly after midnight on September 4 on Interstate 70 near the 200-mile marker in Warren County. Walker was reportedly driving a white passenger vehicle. Officers allegedly observed a large amount of blood in the passenger seat and passenger compartment, while Walker was also covered in blood.
Walker was taken into custody on unrelated allegations of driving while revoked and possession of a controlled substance.
A search warrant was subsequently executed on the vehicle. Investigators say they found identification belonging to the victim, as well as medication belonging to her.
According to the statement, when Walker was questioned about the blood, the vehicle and the victim, he requested an attorney.
The probable-cause statement also outlines a timeline investigators used to connect Walker and the victim.
Investigators say the victim was in court in Madison County on September 3 and was accompanied by Walker. A receipt from a McDonald's restaurant in Arnold at approximately 9:28 p.m. that evening was found in the vehicle. The statement says the purchase was made using a credit or debit card found inside the victim's purse. Surveillance video reportedly confirmed Walker was a passenger in the vehicle at the restaurant.
Investigators also conducted a license-plate-reader search that showed the vehicle traveling through the St. Louis area, Jefferson County and St. Francois County.
According to the statement, surveillance video from Sam Scism Ford showed a white passenger car stop along the shoulder near the location where the victim was later found at approximately 10:43 p.m. September 3. The vehicle reportedly remained there for approximately two minutes and 18 seconds.
Approximately 15 minutes later, the same vehicle was captured by a license-plate reader traveling northbound on U.S. Highway 67 at Highway 8.
The probable-cause statement alleges that Walker and the victim were together in Arnold at approximately 9:30 p.m. September 3. Investigators say the vehicle then stopped at the location where the victim was later found at approximately 10:43 p.m. before continuing north.
Walker was contacted by Wright City police approximately two hours later, and officers reported finding blood on Walker and inside the vehicle.
Based on the evidence, investigators allege Walker stabbed the victim while they were inside the vehicle, likely in St. Francois County, then removed her from the vehicle and dragged her into the ditch.
Walker has been formally charged in St. Francois County with first-degree murder, armed criminal action and abandonment of a corpse.
He remains jailed in the St. Francois County Jail without bond.
Anyone with information regarding the investigation is encouraged to contact Missouri State Highway Patrol Corporal Jason Ashby at 636-300-2800.