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Man Confesses To Killing Wife, Leaving Body In Mississippi County

Illinois State Police

Clifford Williams Sr. has been arrested and is facing multiple charges after he confessed to killing his wife at Birds Point New Madrid Levee in Mississippi County, Mo.  

According to the probable cause statement, Williams contacted the Illinois State Police on Sunday and stated he was going to turn himself in to the Charleston police.

In his statement, Williams said he and his wife, Sylvia Tipler, left her mother’s house in Ullin, Ill., in a rented Jeep to drive to Jefferson City on Oct. 8. Williams said he hit Tipler in the nose in Wilson City and they proceeded to the levee north of the city to continue an argument.

The report said, “Williams stated he blacked out and something bad happened.” Williams said he knocked a knife out of his wife’s hand and struck her with an object from the car. He then drug her lifeless body into the weeds and left.

Williams continued to Jefferson City to retrieve his son from jail and then returned the car to Tipler’s family. Tipler’s mother and family noticed strange stains in the car but Williams told them Tipler was fine.

The Illinois State Police conducted tests on the stains in the car and tested positive for blood.

Prior to turning himself in, Williams told his son Clifford Jr. where Tipler’s body was located and Tipler’s family found the remains.

Williams has been charged with armed criminal action, first degree murder and abandonment of a corpse. He is currently being held without bond.

 

Jen Gradl was a student reporter at KRCU in 2014.