UPDATED 7:45 pm - Suspect has been arrested in Henderson County just a few minutes ago. We are on our way to pick him up to transport him back to Nacogdoches County.

The Nacogdoches County Sheriff's Office (NCSO) and the Texas Rangers are investigating a murder that occurred early Sunday morning (4/9) . Sheriffs' deputies received a call of a welfare concern on County Road 817 around 3:30 am. When deputies arrived they found a victim deceased inside the residence.  

There were obvious signs that the victim had been murdered, and investigators with NCSO and the Texas Rangers were called to the scene.

About 12 hours after the initial call came in, investigators and the Texas Rangers were able to identify a suspect in the case and establish probable cause for an arrest warrant. During the course of the investigation it was found that the suspect who had been identified as Lester Butcher had fled to Henderson County, Texas near the city of Chandler. Butcher is still believed to be in this area.

The victim in this case has been identified as James Steitler, and an autopsy has been ordered. The Nacogdoches County Sheriff's Office, Texas Rangers, and the Henderson County Sheriff Office have been searching the area that the suspect is believed to be in, but have not located him at this time. Anyone with any information on the whereabouts of Lester Thomas Butcher is asked to immediately contact local law enforcement.

Limited information is being released on the ongoing nature of this investigation. An arrest warrant for the offense of Murder has been issued for the suspect.

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