Former Moberly Resident Facing Murder Charge

A former Moberly resident, 29-year-old Angelica Benitez, faces charges of second-degree murder and armed criminal action following the death of a Jefferson City man, 25-year-old Marqukis Hayes. Police were called to a reported shooting at the McDonald’s on Clark Lane in Columbia Monday afternoon. Columbia Police Department Assistant Chief Jeremiah Hunter says authorities initially did not have evidence that a crime had taken place.

Detectives were sent to the St. Louis area.

Lieutenant Matt Stevens with the Columbia Police says the investigation continues, including determining how Benitez ended up in Moberly.

She is being held without bond. Moberly Police indicate that she was taken into custody in the 900 block of West End Thursday.