Man Arrested for Alleged Admitting to the Murder of Missing Woman

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By Marlana Smith

  An arrest was made on a Madison man, who allegedly admitted to killing and placing, the body of Betty Hayes, 88, of Holliday in his pond. Hayes has been missing since December 17, 2021.

  On Friday, July 28, 2023, Lyle W. Miller, 65, was arrested and charged in case No. 23MN-CR00090, with second-degree murder by Monroe County Prosecutor Nicole Diane Volkert.

  While carrying out a search warrant at Miller’s resident located at 13363 Monroe Road 1114, on Thursday, July 27, 2023, investigators interviewed a witness who told them on the night of December 16, 2021, the day Hayes went missing, the witness allegedly saw Miller driving his 1992 Chevrolet Lumina, eastbound from Madison at a high rate of speed at a late hour.

  The next morning, around daybreak, the witness said Miller allegedly woke the witness up to assist with extinguishing a brush fire near a new pond located at 13626 Monroe Road 1114, west of Madison.

  The alleged witness described other suspicious behavior exhibited by Miller, including probing a pond Miller owned.

  Court documents state the alleged witness said that around April 2023, while discussing a news release with Miller regarding a mushroom hunter finding possible remains south of Paris, Missouri, possibly being those of Hayes.

  The alleged witness claims Miller said that was not where Hayes was.

Miller allegedly told the alleged witness he killed Hayes by allegedly striking her in the head and placing her body in the pond on his 40-acre plot.

  Court documents state that Miller allegedly told the witness he was upset with Hayes because she owned him money for wages for work, he performed for her.

  During the search at Miller’s pond, on Friday, July 28, the Missouri State Highway Patrol Drive Team and Monroe County Sheriff’s Office recovered human remains, presumed to be those of Hayes.

  An autopsy will be performed later to make a positive identification.

  Miller is being held without bond in the Monroe County Jail.

  Miller is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in the court of law.