New Details Released In The Arrest Of Chickasha Murder Victim's Boyfriend

A murder victim's boyfriend was running from something after 24-year-old Amanda Cecil was found shot to death.

A family member found Cecil dead Friday morning inside her home in the 1200 block of Choctaw Avenue, where she lived with her boyfriend, 31-year-old Lofton Gray. The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI), which is working the case, has not named Gray, or anyone just yet, as a suspect in the murder.

Still, court paperwork obtained by News 9 makes it clear that, on the same morning that Cecil was shot, Gray appeared to be on the run.

According to a Grady County affidavit, a couple of hours after Cecil's body was discovered, neighbors, who lived just across the river their home, caught Gray trying to "hotwire their car." When confronted about the attempted theft, Gray allegedly told them "he was scared," "needed a safe place to get himself together," and that "they were after him."

The couple described Gray as damp and muddy, and they say he told them he had been hiding because "someone was chasing him." As he ran from the home to a nearby business, he allegedly told them "he needed to get away."

The affidavit states that Gray then went to a business on N. Industrial Blvd. and stole a 1991 Jeep Cherokee. OSBI would later release that vehicle description in an attempt to locate Gray for questioning.

Investigators indicated they wanted to interview him in connection with Cecil's death.

9/9/2014 Related Story: New Mexico Authorities: Boyfriend Of Chickasha Woman Held In Connection With Alleged Murder

As far as the weapon that was used in the murder, sources tell News 9 that investigators recovered the gun used to shoot and kill Amanda Cecil not far from the crime scene.

"How the gun ends up here is scary," said Jimmy Stumpf.

Stumpf lives near 12th and Iowa, three blocks from where Cecil and Gray lived. He says investigators searched the alley behind his home to find the murder weapon.

"They surrounded the area for all of about 45 minutes," Stumpf stated. "They just kept searching and looking through the high grass and, like I said, had the metal detector."

Stumpf says a couple of neighbors helped investigators to search the area.

"It ended up being down the alley, thrown in some high grass," said Stumpf.

Stumpf says that was all a little too close for comfort for him.

"What's going on? Why so close to me?"

Gray was arrested Saturday in New Mexico in the stolen Jeep. He has been charged with larceny of a vehicle and attempted larceny of a vehicle in Grady County.

New Mexico authorities say Gray is refusing to sign an extradition waiver, meaning it will take a warrant from the governor to get him back to Oklahoma.

Meanwhile, Sherrie Luers, a friend of the Cecil family established a Go Fund Me Donation page to assist the family during their time of grief. At last check, $2,970 had been donated toward the $5,000 goal.

"I would just like to say thank you to all who have supported, prayed and donated to the Cecil Family through this unexpected tragedy," said Luers. "Mandy Cecil always had a smile on her face and could just make you feel better. It's a blessing just to have known Mandy."

According to the obituary, the life and times of Amanda "Mandy" Lenore Cecil of Chickasha, Okla. will be celebrated at a memorial service to be held at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 11, 2014 at Epworth United Methodist Church, 320 S. 4th St., Chickasha, Okla.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to Epworth UMC or the charity of your choice.

9/8/2014 Related Story: Investigation Into Chickasha Woman's Death Continues