Investigation into murder, dismemberment continues

By Paul Keane

The Wayne County News

A man currently in Arkansas could be facing murder charges in Waynesboro 
after a series of events and investigations throughout the month.

Claude Wade Smith, Jr., 32, was arrested in Lonoke, Ark., and charged 
with felony fleeing by officials after a high-speed chase.

Upon further investigation, he was charged with abuse of a corpse, which 
is where Waynesboro Police Department officials came into play.

WPD had a missing person report on file for Darrell Hoggle, 56, who was 
last seen on Sept. 3. Through investigation, it was learned that Hoggle 
was allegedly killed at his residence at 217 Spring St. and that Smith 
allegedly transported the corpse to Arkansas in the Little Rock area.

Officials in Arkansas were able to investigate further and alerted WPD 
that its missing person could be the body found.

The body itself had been dismembered, which led to the abuse of a corpse 
charge against Smith. Remains were transported to the Arkansas Crime Lab 
where DNA was extracted and matched with the DNA of Hoggle's sister.

Smith met Hoggle through his half-sister, who is not considered a 
suspect at this time.

WPD Assistant Police Chief Neal Street and Investigator Shawn Gray 
traveled to the Little Rock area to interview Smith. Discussions between 
district attorney's offices in both Arkansas and Mississippi are ongoing 
to try and extradite Smith to Wayne County.

This is still a developing story and many details are not being released 
as it is an ongoing investigation. Be sure to pick up a copy of the Nov. 
5 Wayne County for additional details as they become available.