F
riends: Woman's slaying is madness
Sept 6, 2020
NEWPORT -- Sydney Sutherland had a delicate touch and a strong backbone.
"She was a petite, little thing, but she was spunky," said La Donna Johnston, who worked with Sutherland. "She had the most beautiful smile. It was very inviting."
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A standout beauty, Sutherland had a reputation for having an unwavering devotion to her patients. She was at her best caring for the elderly, her colleagues said.
Everyone who knew her well expected a long, happy career for her.
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Authorities said Sutherland was out for a walk, or possibly a run, the afternoon of Aug. 19 along Arkansas 18, when she was abducted and killed. Her body was found the next day a short distance from her Newport-area home. The suspect in her death, Quake Lewellyn, 28, is charged with capital murder, rape and kidnapping.
The
lead agencies in the investigation of her death are the
Jackson County sheriff's office and the
Arkansas State Police. Bill Sadler, an Arkansas State Police spokesman, wouldn't comment on the investigation.
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Authorities said Lewellyn admitted to killing Sutherland after he was taken in for questioning. Lucas said Lewellyn reportedly saw Sutherland when he drove by in his truck. At one point,
he doubled back, got out of the truck and attacked her, according to reports.
"That's our understanding," Lucas said.
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SMALL-TOWN GIRL
Sutherland grew up in Tuckerman, a small town in Jackson County with a population of less than 1,700.
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"She was such a hard worker. She never sat down."
Johnston, who is the hospital's administrator, said counseling services are being offered to the hospital staff.
Lucas said he has been actively involved in the investigation, along with two of his major cases detectives and the Arkansas State Police.
It has been a difficult two weeks for Lucas, who has been the sheriff in Jackson County for 16 years.
"I knew her, and I know her family," Lucas said. He described her as a "young, vibrant lady" who was well-liked by everyone.
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THE INVESTIGATION
The case remains in its early stages, investigators and attorneys have said.
Henry Boyce, the Jackson County prosecutor, did not respond to messages left with his assistant last week.
Bill James, a Little Rock attorney, is representing Lewellyn. He said Friday that he has not seen any paperwork on the case since being
assigned to it last week.
"I don't have anything yet," James said. "We're just now getting into it."
The only document he has seen with his client's name on it is the form submitted via the state Public Defender Commission, he said.
As of Friday, the Jackson County circuit clerk's office
did not have any of the case records on file, including Lewellyn's
arrest affidavit.
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Court records show that Lewellyn has no felony convictions, and Lucas said that as far as he knows Lewellyn has no history of violence.