Friday, June 7, 1996

Search for body parts continues

By LORETTA FULTON
Regional Editor

STEPHENVILLE - The search for missing parts of a dismembered body extended into Erath County this week, but so far no discoveries have been made.

"Really we don't know what we're looking for," said Sheriff David Coffee.
The sheriff's department was asked for assistance earlier this week by the Young County Sheriff's Office.

On Jan. 21 the torso of a man identified as Casey Elliott, 27, of Fort Belknap in Young County was found in Palo Pinto County. The head, hands, legs and buttocks were missing.

Casey's girlfriend, Helen Moore, was indicted last month on a capital murder charge by a Palo Pinto County grand jury. The indictment alleges she poisoned Elliott for life insurance money.

Moore remains in Palo Pinto County Jail on $500,000 bond.

Young County Deputy Chief Gary Barnett said Thursday that the search continues in several counties. To date the head has been found in Young County, and part of a leg in Stephens County. Now the search has stretched to Erath County.

"Obviously we just keep extending the search" until all remains are found, he said.
Still missing are both hands, one full leg and the thigh bone of the other leg, Barnett said.

Elliott was reported missing Jan. 17. His dismembered torso was discovered Jan. 21 in a wooded area near Possum Kingdom Lake, according to investigators. An autopsy revealed a potentially lethal dose of morphine in his body.

The indictment alleges that Moore, who lived with Elliott, poisoned Elliott with the intention of collecting the proceeds of a $150,000 life insurance policy she took out on him last October.