Van Buren, Ark. — August 24, 2025
Gregory Steven Whitt Jr., 39, of Fort Smith, is in custody at the Crawford County Detention Center on a $1 million bond, charged with first-degree murder in the death of his husband, Kevin (Pennington) Whitt. The arrest followed an investigation by the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) after Kevin Whitt’s body was found on August 20, 2025, in a wooded area near Catcher Road in southeast Van Buren.
Incident Details
On August 20, 2025, CCSO deputies responded to a report of a possible death at 1431 Catcher Road. According to a probable cause affidavit from Crawford County Prosecuting Attorney Kevin Holmes, deputies discovered Kevin Whitt deceased approximately 100 feet from a small campsite containing food, blankets, backpacks, and drinks. Two Phillips-head screwdrivers were found on either side of his body, with blood visible on his face, head, neck, and hands.
Gregory Whitt was arrested on August 21, 2025. The affidavit states he admitted to jail staff at the Crawford County Detention Center that he killed Kevin Whitt, a confession recorded on body camera footage. During an interview with CCSO officers, Gregory Whitt stated the incident began as an argument over drugs, which escalated into a physical altercation. He described striking Kevin Whitt, then using two Phillips-head screwdrivers to stab him multiple times in the head and neck before choking him to death.
Legal Proceedings
Gregory Whitt, listed as homeless with a Fort Smith address in court records, has a history of charges in Sebastian County, including disorderly conduct, failure to appear, and contempt of court between 2022 and 2024. He remains in custody on a $1 million bond, charged with first-degree murder. No additional court dates have been publicly released as of August 24, 2025. The CCSO and Arkansas State Police are continuing their investigation, and no other suspects have been identified.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office at (479) 474-2261 or the Arkansas State Police at (479) 783-5195. Tips can be submitted anonymously.
Ongoing Investigation
The CCSO has not released further details about Kevin Whitt’s background or the couple’s history, citing the active investigation. The exact number of stab wounds and additional forensic findings have not been disclosed.
The Batesville Tribune will provide updates on this case as new information becomes available. For those with relevant information, contact the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office at (479) 474-2261 or the Arkansas State Police at (479) 783-5195.
