The Sheriff’s Office was called to an apparent suicide at the Bull Shoals State Park campground on Saturday, October 14th at 6:40 PM.

     Deputies responded to campsite #96 to meet with State Park authorities and another camper who had found the body.  The victim, who was identified as 66 year old SHIRLEY LEOTA MORKAL of Ione, California, was found deceased inside a tent at the campsite.  She had cuts to her arms and wrists.  The knife was found adjacent to the body and was taken into evidence.  The decedent had been staying at the campground alone for several days, and State Park Rangers had interacted with her. 

     The body was turned over to the Baxter County Coroner’s Office and is being sent to the Arkansas State Medical Examiner’s Office for autopsy.  The case will remain open pending the return of the autopsy results.  No foul play is suspected.

/s/ John F. Montgomery,
Baxter County Sheriff