LYONS, Neb. -- The chief of Lyons' two-man police force was charged Tuesday with first-degree murder in the slaying of a divorcee whose nude body was found late last month, authorities said. The suspect was at large and considered dangerous.
Gregory J. Webb, 36, chief of police in Lyons for about nine years, was accused of killing Anna M. Anton, 34, of Lyons, officials in the Burt County Attorney's office said.
Anton's nude body was found in a field north of Walthill in Thurston County on Dec. 27, 12 days after she was reported missing. An autopsy determined she had been shot to death less than 24 hours when her body was found.
Traces of blood were found in Webb's apartment and in Anton's apartment, Burt County Attorney Clarence E. Mock said. Both Webb and Anton lived in the same building. Anton was shot three times, he said.
Sgt. Ed Pearson of the Nebraska State Patrol in Norfolk said Webb 'apparently has skipped out. He's just gone and nobody can locate him.' Webb last was seen Dec. 30, authorities said.
The State Patrol said Webb may have automatic weapons and explosives and that he may be dangerous.
Anton was raised in the Spirit Lake, Iowa, area and had moved to Lyons last October after her divorce. Apparently few Lyons residents knew her.
Mock declined to comment about a motive in the shooting and he declined to disclose what type of weapon was used. The weapon had not been recovered, he said.
Lyons Mayor Mary Piper expressed 'disbelief, shock and concern' about the arrest warrant issued for the chief of the community's two-man police force.
'The warrant for his arrest doesn't necessarily mean he is guilty or he isn't guilty,' she said.
Despite the slaying, Piper said the town of 1,200 people will continue as it has.
'I'm sure the town can handle it,' Piper said. 'The town can hold hands together and make it through.'
