According to court records, Norton was originally interviewed on Sept. 19 and after his interview, officers determined he had provided information that was not accurate. Dallas County land records show that the Rainwater family still owns land that surrounds the unsecured crime scene. On Sept. 16, an FBI agent in Kansas City contacted detectives in the Sheriff's Department after receiving an anonymous tip about photos that allegedly showed Rainwater being held in a cage, reported CBS affiliate KFVS in Cape Girardeau, Mo. At a nearby property, the Sheriffs Office said uncovered skeletal remains were believed to be Rainwaters. The detective noticed the loft on the property looked like it had been stripped, and they did not notice any belongings of Cassidys at the loft at that time. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? DALLAS COUNTY, Mo. Phelps had admitted to police that Rainwater had been living on his property, but he repeatedly tried to deflect investigators scrutiny, telling them that she up and left suddenly in late July after voicing plans to leave for Colorado. He wrote that he was upset with social media and bloggers thinking they knew what happened. Two weeks ago, FBI investigators from Kansas City got an anonymous tip that someone was holding Rainwater in a cage on some property near Lebanon. Rainwater has ties to the Kansas City area. He said she had been talking about going to Colorado. Dallas County Judge Jill Porter sentenced Phelps to life in prison without parole. Police say items from the freezer that appeared to be human flesh have been positively identified as Rainwaters remains, and skeletal remains belonging to her were also uncovered. Phelps then said that Rainwater had been staying with him until she could get back on her feet, according to the probable-cause statement related to the initial charges filed against Phelps. All pre-trial hearings in Phelps' case will still be held in Dallas County, and even at the trial in Jasper County, Dallas County Judge Jill Porter will preside. A lawyer for Norton previously denied the kidnapping allegations and could not be reached on Thursday for comment on the murder charges. Norton was arrested on September 20 after speaking to authorities. James Phelps appeared in court on Nov. 19, just two days after his amended charges. "Norton stated that Phelps bound her to the gantry crane and Phelps began evisceration and dismemberment of Cassidy's body. against Timothy Norton, 56, and James Phelps, 58, in a statement on Facebook, and court documents reveal new disturbing details of the case. Court documents reveal that beyond showing Rainwater in a cage, additional photos the FBI had shared with county detectives in September showed Rainwaters body bound to a gantry crane device (commonly used for processing wild game), and depicted her evisceration and dismemberment. Authorities had also found what were confirmed by lab testing to be Rainwaters remains packaged in a freezer and dated 7-24, court documents said, and had discovered skeletal remains on the property that they believe to be Rainwaters, as well. A report, first obtained by local news outlet Ozarks First from the Springfield Fire Department showed the bomb squad had been called in and found an incendiary device in a mortar tube with an attached trip wire. A representative for the states Division of Fire Safety, which helped investigate the cause of the fire, said the agency provided its report to authorities but cannot comment on the findings because its part of an investigation. On Sept. 16, investigators received a search warrant for James Phelps' cellphone, and court records say they found seven photos of Cassidy Rainwater partially nude being held in a cage on his property on Moon Valley Road in Lebanon in Dallas County. The woman recalled Rainwater as being friendly. The FBI passed along information Thursday that led to the arrest of James Phelps, 58, at a. She wasnt reported missing to authorities until nearly one month later. The 50 Worst Decisions in Music History The next day, Timothy Norton was booked into the Dallas County Jail without bond. They had previously been charged with kidnapping. Very few details on this case have been released by the Dallas County Sheriffs Office, including whether Cassidy Rainwater has been found. She said she cant wrap her head around all of this. After tests confirmed that the labeled remains found in a freezer inside Phelps rented home were Rainwaters, the charges were upgraded to murder several weeks later. According to court documents, Phelps told the detective that about a month prior, Cassidy left in the middle of the night and met a vehicle at the end of the driveway in the dark and had not been seen or heard from since. When police followed up on this. DNA tests returned to Dallas County Sheriff Scott Rice confirmed Rainwaters flesh was found in a freezer. BUFFALO, Mo. An amended criminal complaint shows the two men each still face a kidnapping charge as well as a felony count of abandonment of a corpse, saying they knowingly disposed of the corpse of Cassidy Rainwater at or near Phelps property without notifying authorities. By I feel like theyre kind of taking the story and running with it and maybe making it hyped up to more than what it really is. Chris Harris has been a senior true crime reporter for PEOPLE since late 2015. Porter anticipated Phelps' trial would occur in the summer of 2025, which would be four years after Rainwater's death. Terry told authorities that the last time Rainwater was seen was about six weeks earlier and she believed that a James Rainwater was the last person to see her. In a hearing in Dallas County, James Phelps who was charged with first-degree murder in the death of Cassidy Rainwater entered an Alford plea in the case. "Phelps stated that, about a month prior, Cassidy had met a vehicle at the end of the driveway and left in the middle of the night," the statement alleges. The Law Did Not Treat Them Kindly. Per court records, James Phelps told police the last time he saw Cassidy was on this day. At one point, a Dallas County deputy found something that resembled a tripwire; thats when the Springfield bomb squad was sent to investigate. ", After the 33-year-old woman was dead, "he and Phelps took a short break before carrying her body outside," according to the statement. Dallas County Sheriff's Office Phelps' home was destroyed by fire on Oct. 4. Prior to the request, a preliminary hearing in Phelps case was scheduled for Nov. 5. The public defenders did not request bond during the hearing. In a September announcement of Phelps arrest, Sheriff Scott Rice had said, Due to the extreme nature of the, In the weeks following the arrest, rumors spread on, trespass, litter, vandalize, harass, or destroy property., In another strange development, on Oct. 4, a, started at Phelps property where Rainwaters remains were found burned the house to the ground. - The County Prosecutor files murder charges in the Cassidy Rainwater case in southwest Missouri. Police have now upped the charges against both men to first-degree murder. A judge initially set a preliminary hearing in both for Nov. 5. Cassidy Rainwater's remains were found labeled "7-24" in a freezer. Everything was on fire, and we sat there and watched it collapse. On Sept. 16, 2021, the Dallas County Sheriffs Office received intel from the FBI that led them to James Phelps' property in Windyville. Meanwhile, investigators returned to the scene of the fire during daylight hours to analyze the area. See Kelce Jam, One person killed, four others injured in crash in Kansas City, Kansas, Jury finds father guilty in 2017 fatal shooting of his childrens mother in Kansas City, Two charged for allegedly stealing NFL jerseys designated for top picks at NFL Draft, Woman found dead in Kansas City apartment on Saturday after caller alerted police, Three men killed in two shootings thought by police to be connected, KCPD says, In fatally shooting man in moving car, KCK cops used tactic discouraged by experts. Court documents reveal that beyond showing Rainwater in a cage, additional photos the FBI had shared with county detectives in September showed Rainwaters body bound to a gantry crane device (commonly used for processing wild game), and depicted her evisceration and dismemberment. Authorities had also found what were confirmed by lab testing to be Rainwaters remains packaged in a freezer and dated 7-24, court documents said, and had discovered skeletal remains on the property that they believe to be Rainwaters, as well. Cassidy Rainwater The last person to see her was Phelps, who had been interviewed by officers right after the missing person's report was filed. A van was found on the property that is similar to the van linked to the 3 missing women from 1992. Norton's lawyer, Brenden Twibell, told the Springfield News-Leader the new charges were expected and Norton will plead not guilty. Kansas City police are asking for help finding 22-year-old Kevontay Watson who is missing. The home Phelps rented on Moon Valley Road in Dallas County was burned to the ground in the late-evening hours. What happened with Cassidy is something nobody should ever go through, said Sheriff Rice in an exclusive interview with KY3 on the following day. Phelps and Norton were arrested back in September of 2021 after authorities say they obtained photos of Rainwater in a cage on Phelps property. James David Phelps, 58, told investigators that he was helping the 33-year-old woman "get back on her feet" and that she had been living in the loft area of his cabin at 386 Moon Valley Road. On Sept. 1, a detective spoke to Phelps at his home in Lebanon. 18:16 BST 18 Nov 2021. The 200 Greatest Singers of All Time Missing Missouri Woman Was Gutted and Stashed in Freezer, Police Reveal SCENE OF HORROR Cassidy Rainwater's alleged kidnappers have been unmasked as her alleged murderers, as police reveal. Investigators searched Phelps' home near Lebanon, Missouri, for seven days and found the gantry crane, cage and items in the freezer that appeared to be 'human flesh,' Rice said. She says that she moved to Dallas County to get away from violence in Kansas City. Terms of Use | According to court documents, hed told agents Phelps asked him to come over while Rainwater was sleeping. It was not immediately clear if Phelps had an attorney. Sheriff Rice said more of her remains were found scattered on a nearby property belonging to her grandfather Bill Rainwater. James Phelps, 58, and . However, if anyone has new information concerning the case of her death or disappearance, they are encouraged to contact the Dallas County Sheriffs Office at 417-345-2441. 24. Investigators say Norton admitted to holding down Rainwaters legs while Phelps strangled her. While on Phelps' property, detectives also found items in the backyard that "coincided with the photos," the Sheriffs Office said. Rainwater, 33, was reported missing on Aug. 26, 2021, after having last been seen in mid-July. Norton reportedly assisted Phelps in carrying Rainwaters body back inside the residence and into a bathtub. Two men are charged with her murder after photos showed her evisceration and dismemberment By Andrea Marks November 18,. During that hearing, Judge John C. Porter ruled against a bond request filed by Phelps attorney. what really happened to Cassidy Rainwater. Court records say Phelps had seven photos of Rainwater on his cellphone that showed her partially nude body inside the cage in the small, rundown home where he was living. Everything was quiet and I thought moving to the country was going to be the best fit, but now.I dont want to move back to the city but now I feel like I might have made a bad choice, says Williams. Norton is scheduled to appear in Nov. 23 and Phelps on Nov. 19. Rumours about what happened to Ms Rainwater forced Scott Rice, the Dallas County sheriff, to decry what he called Fake News on Facebook in October. Sheriff Rice said Phelps were classmates in school and friends for several decades. Police have not yet given a motive for the grisly crime, but they say Phelps and Norton planned it in advance. The investigation remains ongoing. Whether its a short vacation or theyre jetting off to begin their career, show the future traveler you care with a meaningful graduation gift. Literally translated as "virtue", it is now more popularly used in a strong gender-specific context of relations within a family described in terms of honor, attention, respect/respectability, and modesty. Phelps was arrested at the scene on Sept. 16. Investigators ruled the blaze an arson and found two. I am very upset by it.. Authorities said Norton told them that he knew that Rainwater was being held at the home of Phelps and that she had been kept in a cage, court records show. Deputies searched around some properties in rural Dallas County, including the home connected to James Phelps on Moon Valley Road, for evidence in the investigation. Because of both the complexity of death penalty cases and full case loads for a small staff, they tend to be more drawn out. Mr Norton will reportedly plead not guilty and appear in court on Friday, after admitting that he strangled Ms Rainwater, according to Fox4. On Sept. 16, investigators received a search warrant for James Phelps cellphone, and court records say they found seven photos of Cassidy Rainwater partially nude being held in a cage on his property on Moon Valley Road in Lebanon in Dallas County. Cassidy Rainwater's remains found on accused kidnappers' property in Missouri, court docs reveal During a search, investigators on the scene of the Moon Valley Road property found the. Investigators say they dismembered her body in a bathtub. He is diagnosed with autism, is non-verbal and has medical conditions that require care. On Aug. 25, police spoke to Phelps, who allegedly claimed Rainwater had been staying with him temporarily, and then one night, left likely for Colorado. The new charges come after remains recovered at Phelps property just days after his arrest were positively identified as Rainwaters. She was reported missing in late August 2021 by a woman named Cora Terry. Those photos, as well as photos of Rainwater strung up on a gantry crane being dismembered and eviscerated, were sent in an anonymous tip to the FBI, according to court documents. Due to the nature of the plea, there was no criminal trial. During these upcoming court proceedings, a range of documents and evidence could be presented to the judges, defense and prosecution before the cases head to trial. The comments below have not been moderated, By I cant fathom what her family is experiencing and Im heartily sorry that it happened so close to my home.. 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Court documents accuse Phelps and Norton of holding Cassidy Rainwater in a cage on Moon Valley Road near Windyville, Missouri. Mom Ana Walshe, Charged with Murder, Newlywed Found Decapitated in Her Home, Her Husband of 3 Months Allegedly Confessed to Killing Her, Ex-Boyfriend Accused of Murdering, Dismembering New York Woman and Stuffing Remains in Suitcase, La. Im continuing to pray for her family. To report a correction or typo, please email digitalnews@ky3.com. James Phelps and Timothy L. Norton have been charged with kidnapping 33-year-old Cassidy Rainwater who was reported missing on July 24. Rice said Norton told investigators Phelps asked him to help kill Rainwater on July 24 while she was staying at Phelps' home. The tip the FBI received was titled Cassidy. Phelps and Timothy Norton, both of Dallas County, were charged in September 2021 with kidnapping the 33-year-old woman and facilitating a felony, inflicting injury and terrorizing. A trial date had not been set. The two later carried her dismembered body inside to the bathtub. He wrote: While I understand the impatience and curiosity of the people, Im going to give you a piece of advice. How do I keep bugs off my patio this spring? DALLAS COUNTY, Mo. Norton is scheduled to appear in court next Tuesday. It appears that the land has been in the Phelps family for years as multiple people have used that address, according to online court records. When police visited Phelps property, they found the same scene from the photographs provided by the FBI, according to an affidavit by Dallas County Sheriffs Department Sergeant Robby Simmons. It remains unclear if Mr Phelps, who is due in court next week, has a lawyer. The 100 Greatest TV Shows of All Time. Heres How, Roy Wood Jr. Rainwater, 33, was reported missing on Aug. 26, 2021, after having last been seen in mid-July. He also told the deputy that at the end of July 2021, Rainwater had left in the middle of the night and met with someone in a vehicle at the end of the driveway and he had not seen or heard from her since. I called 911 because I was worried about it catching the woods on fire and spreading to the other houses.. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. (TCD) -- Two Missouri men accused of kidnapping Cassidy Rainwater also face murder charges after Rainwaters dismembered remains were found in a freezer and on a nearby property. In a 2003 yearbook from Harrisonville High School in Cass County, shes listed as a freshman. The Dallas County Sheriffs Office confirmed with OzarksFirst around 10 p.m., the home caught fire Monday. Deputies report they found other DNA belonging to Cassidy on an adjacent property belonging to the late Bill Rainwater, Cassidy's grandfather. Authorities arrested Phelps and then found the slew of evidence on his property that was revealed by the sheriffs office on Wednesday. The next court hearings are currently set for Feb. 8 for Timothy Norton and Feb. 18 for James Phelps. SPRINGFIELD, Mo. Some of the woman's body parts were later found in a freezer, he said. The other photos depicted Cassidys body bound to a gantry crane, commonly used for deer processing, and her evisceration and dismemberment.. The plea came several days after Phelps was granted a change of venue with parties agreeing to move his trial to Jasper County because of extensive media coverage in Dallas County. No official motive in Rainwaters killing has been disclosed. Phelps and Norton were initially charged with one count of first-degree kidnapping, facilitating a felony, inflicting injury, and terrorizing.