Fatal stabbing

Law enforcement officers prepare to leave the scene of a fatal stabbing Friday afternoon. The Sikeston Department of Public Safety received information about 11 a.m. Friday of a possible dead body at 867 Stanford. The SEMO Major Case Squad was activated and a man later arrested. (Photo by Jill Bock, Staff)

Man charged after woman's body discovered

SIKESTON -- A 23-year-old Sikeston man is facing a first degree murder charge for the fatal stabbing of his girlfriend.

Melvin Lawrence Harris was charged Friday evening with first degree murder and armed criminal action by New Madrid County Prosecuting Attorney Lewis Recker. Harris was arrested in connection with the death of Danielle Keown, 28.

According to a Sikeston Department of Public Safety news release, information was received around 11 a.m. Friday of a possible dead body in the basement of a house at 867 Stanford. DPS officers contacted the home's occupants and obtained permission to search it.

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