James Frazer, suspect in the murder of Phil Blankenship, has turned himself in and has been charged with first degree murder and armed criminal action.
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James Frazer, who is a suspect in the murder of Phil Blankenship, turned himself in to the Warren County Sheriff's Department at 11 a.m. Nov. 20.
Frazer, 38, of the 29000 block of Bobwhite Lane, has been charged with murder in the first degree and armed criminal action and is being held without bond for the murder of Blankenship which, according to the Warren County Sheriff's Department occurred around 12:30 a.m. on Nov. 15.
Blankenship, 49, also of the 29000 block of Bobwhite Lane, was found dead of a gunshot wound outside his residence at 6:39 a.m. Friday, Nov. 15.
According to the Warren County Sheriff's Department, witnesses reported there was an altercation between the two related to money and Blankenship posessing Frazer's phone.
Witnesses then reported Frazer returned to his residence, grabbed a firearm and said he was going to hurt Blankenship before shots were fired outside the residence. He then returned to his residence and told witnesses he had hurt Blankenship before hiding his firearm in the woods and going to a friend's house.
That weapon was discovered over the weekend.
Frazer turned himself in with his attorney, Reed Rosenblum of the Rosenblum Schwartz Fry and Johnson Law Firm in St. Louis.
Frazer had been moving with help from friends to locations on Bobwhite Lane, Highway J, Mistic Drive, all in the Wright City area, Linns Mill Road and Highway U in Lincoln County, and a location in St. Charles city, according to he sheriff's department.
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The Warren County Sheriff's Department announced Wednesday morning they are offering a cash reward for information leading to the arrest of murder suspect James Frazer.
The department continues to search for Frazer, who is believed to be connected to the alleged murder of his neighbor, 49-year-old Phil Blankenship, also of Wright City.
Frazer, 38, of the 29000 block of Bobwhite Lane is described as 6 foot, 1 inch tall, weighing 180 pounds with brown hair and beard. He was last seen wearing a black ball cap, dark colored hooded sweatshirt, baggy blue jeans and work boots.
Frazer has been moving with help from friends to locations on Bobwhite Lane, Highway J, Mistic Drive, all in the Wright City area, Linns Mill Road and Highway U in Lincoln County, and a location in St. Charles city.
The Facebook post also warned those who may be helping Frazer and said they may be charged with hindering a felony prosecution.
Blankenship was found dead of a gunshot wound outside his residence on Bobwhite Lane at 6:39 a.m. Friday, Nov. 15.
The sheriff's department also reported that weapons believed to be used in the incident were recovered in the woods behind the residence.
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Here is our original story:
A 49-year-old Wright City male was found dead from a gunshot wound and law enforcement agencies are searching for a suspect believed to be responsible in the murder.
The suspect is identified as James Frazer, 38, of Wright City, according to the Warren County Sheriff's Department. He is 6 foot, 1 inches tall, weighs 180 pounds with brown hair and brown beard. Frazer was last seen wearing a black ball cap, dark colored hooded sweatshirt, baggy blue jeans and work boots.
Frazer is believed to be armed and dangerous, the sheriff's department reported.
The alleged murder occurred in the 29000 block of Bobwhite Lane, Wright City. The male victim was found lying on the ground outside his residence at 6:39 a.m. by a co-worker who was there to pick him up. His name has not been released.
The sheriff's department reported the suspect has been moving with help from friends to locations on Bobwhite Lane, Highway J and Mistic Drive -- all in the Wright City area. His last known location was near Linns Mill Road and Highway U in Lincoln County, north of Wright City.
Investigators with area law enforcement agencies have been communicating with family, friends, and associates of Frazer to encourage him to surrender himself to law enforcement, or to learn of his location so he can be taken into custody.
Anyone with information is asked to call Warren County Emergency Services at 636-456-7088 to be connected to the investigators.
This is a developing story and more details will be added as more information is reported.
