Lawrence suspect enters not guilty plea

Trey Youngdahl

Jerry L. Hopper, 46, of Cove, was arraigned Feb. 1, 2023, in the Polk County Circuit Court on the charges related to the disappearance of Erin Lawrence. Hopper was charged with one count each: Murder in the second degree; Kidnapping; Abuse of a corpse; Tampering with evidence; Use of a communication device during the commission of a felony.

Lawrence, also known as Pepper, was first reported missing in April of 2020. After being very active on social media for some time, she suddenly disappeared and her phone was later found in a culvert on Polk Road 31. Her disappearance garnered support from the Morgan Nick Foundation, an Arkansas-based organization dedicated to preventing and supporting victims of crimes against children and adults. They donated ‘missing’ flyers, as well as 36 candles for a candlelight vigil held in December of 2021.

On Aug. 8, 2022, an inmate incarcerated on unrelated charges in the Polk County Detention Center took the Polk County Sheriff’s Office to a shallow grave in a heavily wooded area west of Hatfield. Investigators with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and the Arkansas State Police processed the scene and recovered human remains the following day, where they were sent to the Arkansas State Crime Lab.

Polk County Sheriff Scott Sawyer confirmed On Sept. 6, 2022, the remains were in fact Erin Lawrence.

Hopper, who is currently an inmate in the Arkansas Department of Corrections (Cummins), was transported back to Polk County to be arraigned on the new charges. Hopper entered a plea of not guilty at the arraignment.

All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.