The identity of the deceased body found Thursday afternoon near Mayflower has been identified, according to Arkansas State Police.
The body was that of 41-year-old Mark Anthony Teas of Ozark. While state police have confirmed the identity, special agents from the criminal investigation division are still working to determine the cause of death, which is still uncertain at this time. Special agents will continue their probe to determine the events that led up to Teas’ death.
According to police, on late Wednesday night, Mayflower police officers stopped a truck on Interstate 40. During the traffic stop, the driver of the truck, believed to have been Teas by police, fled on foot from Mayflower police. The passenger was left behind and was taken into custody by local law enforcement. According to police, the vehicle is believed to have been stolen from owners in Ozark.
On Thursday, a property owner was walking along his fence line a short distance off of the controlled access highway at the eastbound 137 mile marker. According to police, the property owner discovered the body and contacted local authorities. Local police later contacted the Arkansas State Police to request special agents to head the investigation, which is still ongoing.