Missouri Arrest May Bring Answers To Tulsa Murder Case

Lori Fullbright, News On 6

TULSA, Oklahoma -- An arrest in Missouri brought new developments in a Tulsa murder case.

Paula Bogle was stabbed to death in her rocking chair six months ago in West Tulsa. The prime suspect in her case has been arrested in Missouri for burglary and weapons charges.

When Nelson Rockwell got arrested in Kansas City last week, officers there realized he had a warrant here for probation violation.

When they called to check on it, they learned he was also a prime suspect in Paula Bogle's murder, a case that happened six months ago and is still open.

12/17/2010 Related Story: Murdered Tulsa Woman Found Sitting In Her Rocking Chair

Paula Bogle was in her 60's and known to help people who needed a little cash. Police believe someone took advantage of her generous nature and killed her. She was murdered just a couple of weeks before Christmas and her family misses her terribly.

"Christmas was hard. My cousin's birthday was really rough. Just would be so much better if we could put this behind us. We trust in God and are leaning toward our faith in Him," said Paula's niece Glenna.

Police say they've interviewed Rockwell a couple of times about Paula's murder and they can track some of his whereabouts, but there's a period of time they can't place him anywhere.

"I think everybody was taking advantage of Paula and he got wind of that and would go in and ask for 5, 10, 15 dollars with never any attempt to return any of that. I think he was just mooching off her," said Tulsa Police Sgt Dave Walker.

Sergeant Walker feels the pressure of the investigation forced Rockwell out of town and now, he's been arrested in Kansas City for breaking into a man's garage. He's also charged in another Missouri county with seven counts of stealing firearms and burglary.

In Oklahoma, records show he has convictions for theft, stealing and illegal weapons. Paula's family says whoever the killer is, they'd like him caught.

"At least we'd know someone is locked away and can't do it to another family member. That's the biggest thing there," Glenna said.

Police say anyone who remembers seeing Rockwell in December or has information about the case can earn $1,000 by calling Crime Stoppers at 918-596-COPS.