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By Kent Larsen
LDS Man Murdered by Roommates in Arkansas
FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS -- Police in Fayetteville, Arkansas have arrested the
two roommates of LDS Church member Keith VanMaren after they discovered
VanMaren murdered in his bed early Wednesday morning. Acting on a tip from
an informant, the police went to Van Maren's apartment and found him lying
faceup in his bed, apparently strangled with a belt. The roommates, James
Pugh, 29, and Joy Doss, 21, were in the apartment and arrested at that time.
According to President Robert Osburn of the LDS Church's University Branch,
VanMaren was an active church member who attended Sunday meetings each week
and attended dances and activities. A convert of just a year, VanMaren had
joined the LDSSA associated with the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville,
even though he was not a student.
VanMaren's father, Steven, says that his son's trusting nature made it easy
to take advantage of him. "He's a trusting soul, and it got him into
trouble." President Osburn agrees, saying that VanMaren was trying to
convert his roommates, "I really think his feelings were that he would
convert them and get them back in line to a standard religion. He was the
kind who really thought he could help people."
VanMaren grew up as a Catholic in Utah, joining the Army after high school.
He was discharged from the Army in October 1994 after he had an allergic
reaction to a bee sting that put him in the hospital. He moved to
Fayetteville to be closer to a relative and planned to attend college.
Police believe that VanMaren had given up on his roommates and was planning
to kick them out, at least in part at the suggestion of fellow Church
members who urged VanMaren to cut his ties to Pugh and Doss because they
were taking advantage of him. Police are still investigating exactly how the
murder occurred, and have not yet decided whether to charge Doss and Pugh
with either first-degree murder or with capital murder, which carries the
death penalty. Both Doss and Pugh have admitted to participating in the
murder, saying that they entered VanMaren's room at about 3 am and
suffocated and strangled him while he slept. However, each of them claims
that the other played a larger role in the murder.
Source:
Police charge couple in roommate's death
Little Rock AR Democrat-Gazette 7Dec00 D2
By Andy Davis: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Possible motives for strangling emerge; 2 roommates stay jailed
Little Rock AR Democrat-Gazette 8Dec00 D2
By Andy Davis: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Fayetteville: Victim 'thought he could help people'
Little Rock AR Democrat-Gazette 8Dec00 D2
By Andy Davis: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
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