The Hot Spring County Sheriff’s Office announced on Mar. 2 a major development in the investigation of the 1983 homicide of Wanda Lee May Isbell, following the re-opening of several cold cases.
This update marks significant progress for a decades-old case that had remained unsolved since Isbell was reported missing in May 1983 and later found deceased in Hot Spring County in January 1985. The news is important to both law enforcement and the local community, as it brings renewed hope for resolution to long-standing unsolved crimes.
Sheriff Richard Tolleson said investigators re-opened Isbell’s case in October 2025 while reviewing six unsolved missing persons cases. Investigators collected records from multiple agencies, including state police, federal authorities, and departments from Arkansas and Mississippi. All files were digitized into the agency’s system for further analysis. “After months of investigation and follow-up interviews, including a former investigator previously employed at the Hot Spring County Sheriff’s Office, an arrest warrant was obtained on February 25th, 2026 for Ronnie Lee Swann for the charge of Capital Murder,” Tolleson said.
According to Tolleson, he traveled with Captain Kirk McClenahan and Deputy Prosecutor Jared Davis to Mississippi to obtain assistance from Rankin County authorities before serving Swann with warrants at Central Mississippi Correctional Facility on Feb. 26. The sheriff’s office is now working on extraditing Swann back to Arkansas. Records related to this case were sealed until Swann could be personally served with the arrest warrant.
Tolleson expressed gratitude: “I…extend my sincere appreciation to all agencies and individuals who assisted in this investigation and helped bring long-awaited progress and resolution to the family of Wanda Lee May Isbell.” He also reminded residents that other cold cases remain under active investigation and encouraged anyone with information to contact his office.
The Hot Spring County Sheriff’s Office delivers services such as deputy patrols, criminal investigations, school resource support, detention center operations, sex offender record management, civil matter oversight and more according to its official website. The office works across Hot Spring County—including Malvern—and partners with surrounding counties as well as government agencies at various levels to promote safety. Community members are encouraged to provide anonymous crime tips through systems designed by law enforcement to boost public safety.
