Son Arrested In Connection With Shooting Death Of Le Flore County Couple

NewsOn6.com & Dan Bewley, News On 6

BOKOSHE, Oklahoma -- An Oklahoma man has been arrested in connection with the shooting death of his mother and father, the Le Flore County Sheriff's Office said Thursday evening.

Kevin Statham was arrested in Lakota, North Dakota Thursday evening.

Statham is being called a person of interest in the death of Paul and Helen Statham. The couple was found dead Wednesday night outside their home near the town of Bokoshe.

Melinda Statham, the couple's daughter-in-law, can hardly believe what happened.

"Right now we're all pretty much in shock," Melinda Statham said. "We would like to find out who did it and make them pay because these people did not deserve it. They didn't hurt anybody."

Both Paul and Helen had been shot. Helen was watering her plants when she was killed and Paul was at the front door.

Steve Statham is their youngest son.

"Anytime they asked for help, they helped. They literally gave the shirt off their back, money out of their pockets," Steve said.

The couple's oldest son, Kevin Statham, was last seen driving a 1993 Chevy Z-71 truck, with Oklahoma plates 727-EMF.

The Le Flore County Sheriff's Office said authorities received a tip Thursday evening that Kevin Statham was in  Lakota, North Dakota.  Officials there located Statham in the missing truck and took him into custody.

According to the Le Flore County Sheriff's Office, Statham told authorities he had been living in North Dakota since April.

Steve Statham says his brother began running with the wrong crowd when he injured his back several years ago and admits Kevin had a rough relationship with their parents.

He's devastated that his brother may have been involved in the death of their parents.

"I don't know, I really don't," he said. "I would like to think that my brother couldn't do anything like this."

Marilyn Ashley, who has known the couple nearly all of her life, says the tragedy has shocked their hometown.

"It's been a rough morning. They were good people," Ashley said. "Pray for the family, that's all you can do."

Steve and Melinda Statham are now left to lean on each other and try to explain to their young children what happened to their grandparents. Both are having a difficult time trying to understand what Kevin knows that can help investigators but they beg him to turn himself in.

"Kevin, if you know anything that might have started this or have any information please tell them who done this to Helen and Paul because your mom and dad didn't deserve this," Melinda said.

Funeral arrangements are still pending but the family is concerned about how they are going to pay for it. Anyone interested in helping is asked to contact Spiro State Bank in Spiro.