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Body Found, Winston-Salem Man Charged with Murder In Death of 86-Year-Old Arzell Tuttle Who Disappeared Last Week

Investigators have charged 20-year-old Christian Willard of Winston-Salem with first-degree murder of Arzell Tuttle.

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — Investigators say they have arrested and charged 20-year-old Christian Lang Willard of Winston-Salem with the first-degree murder of 86-year-old Arzell Tuttle of King.

Investigators, with the help of the SBI, found a body Wednesday night in Carroll County, Virginia. King police told WFMY News 2 they hope to identify the body soon but have reason to believe it is Tuttle. 

Early Thursday, police said they believe Williard murdered Tuttle at his home on E. King Street sometime during the night of Jan. 9 or the morning of Jan. 10. The SBI found blood in Tuttle's home and car.

Willard remains in Stokes County Detention Center without bond. Police say there could be additional charges and suspects in this case. Williard is scheduled to be in Stokes County Court Thursday morning. 

A source said Virginia State Police surrounded the area of Forest Haven Drive in Fancy Gap, Virginia, just hours after Winston-Salem Police discovered a car connected to the case.

"We did find a car in connection with his disappearance," Special Agent Scott Williams said.

Police found the car Wednesday afternoon at Akron Drive and Patterson Avenue. However, police would not say how the car is directly connected to Arzell Tuttle. 

RELATED: 'Evidence Of A Violent Crime': King Police Release New Details in Missing 86-Year-Old Man Investigation

Last Friday, investigators found another vehicle belonging to Tuttle. The 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser was abandoned and burned on Kentucky Avenue in Winston-Salem.

RELATED: Foul Play Suspected After King Man Disappears, His Car Found Burned in Winston-Salem

King Police said over the weekend they found suspicious circumstances, leading them to believe Tuttle was 'likely assaulted and kidnapped or possibly murdered.' Investigators said they found evidence of a violent crime at Tuttle's house and inside his burned car. 

Police say more information will be released soon. The investigation is continuing. 

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