BARRY COUNTY, MO — Three people have been arrested in connection with the 1999 homicide investigation of Justin Hocutt, a 14-year-old from Seligman, Missouri, according to authorities. The case, which began more than two decades ago in Barry County, was recently revisited as investigators again sought information about Hocutt’s suspicious death. The Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control asked the public for help as recently as May 2026. Officials have not yet released further details about the arrests or the evidence behind them.
Renewed investigation efforts
The original death investigation dates to 1999, but the case remained active enough for Barry County authorities to seek assistance from the state highway patrol this year. Investigators said the patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control became involved after the Barry County Sheriff’s Office asked for help continuing the inquiry. That renewed effort appears to have led to the arrests announced this week. Authorities have described the matter as a murder investigation, but have not yet publicly outlined the sequence of events that led to the criminal charges.
Names tied to arrests
Authorities identified the three people arrested as Mark Wesley Scott, Bobby Ray Scott and David Ray Scott. All three are listed in connection with a first-degree murder case tied to Hocutt’s death. At this stage, officials have not said how the men are connected to one another or what role, if any, each is alleged to have played. No additional arrest details were provided in the initial announcement, and investigators have not released charging documents or a summary of the evidence.
What officials have said
Law enforcement has kept the public update brief while the case continues to develop. The highway patrol’s earlier request for help suggested investigators believed new information from the community could advance the long-running case. The announcement of arrests marks the most significant development reported so far, but officials have not yet answered questions about where the suspects were taken into custody, whether the case involved new forensic work, or whether additional suspects could be identified. A news conference is scheduled for Tuesday, July 28, 2026.
Next steps in case
More information is expected when authorities hold the scheduled press conference. That briefing may clarify how the case moved from a 1999 death investigation to arrests in 2026, as well as what charges each defendant faces in court. For now, the key development is that a Barry County cold case involving a teenage victim has moved into a new phase after years of unanswered questions. Investigators say they continue to work the matter, and officials have indicated they will share additional details publicly.
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