The quiet community of Bull Shoals, Arkansas, was shaken to its core on April 21, 2025, when Taylor Due was found dead in her home, the victim of a fatal shooting. The tragedy unfolded in the early morning hours, leaving residents grappling with grief and disbelief. By the end of the day, the primary suspect, 49-year-old Brooks Dean Due, Taylor’s estranged husband, was also dead, his body discovered in a wooded area near Norfork Lake, the result of an apparent suicide. The events of that day, marked by violence and loss, have left an indelible mark on this small Ozark town.
The Marion County Sheriff’s Office, alongside the Arkansas State Police and Bull Shoals Police Department, responded to the initial report of the shooting at a residence in Bull Shoals. Sheriff Gregg Alexander confirmed that Taylor Due had been killed, and arrest warrants were swiftly issued for Brooks Dean Due on charges of first-degree murder and violation of a protection order. The violation of the protection order pointed to a history of tension between the couple, though authorities have not publicly detailed the circumstances leading up to the shooting. Taylor Due’s identity was withheld initially, pending notification of her family, a somber reminder of the personal toll such incidents exact.
Brooks Dean Due, described as a 6-foot-1, 265-pound white male with brown hair and brown eyes, became the focus of an intense manhunt. Authorities warned that he was armed and dangerous, urging the public to avoid contact and report any sightings immediately. Due was believed to be driving a black 2013 Dodge Avenger with an Arkansas Disabled license plate, number 305607. He was last seen wearing a light-colored shirt and a hat, possibly clean-shaven or sporting a trimmed beard. The description was circulated widely, as law enforcement agencies across Marion and Baxter Counties mobilized to locate him.
The search effort escalated when the Baxter County Sheriff’s Office was alerted by Marion County that Due might be in their jurisdiction. Sheriff John Montgomery’s team initiated a search around Due’s residence in Briarcliff, a small community near Bull Shoals. The Arkansas State Police provided critical support, deploying a helicopter to scour the rugged terrain from above. The operation was a coordinated effort, reflecting the urgency of apprehending a suspect considered a significant threat to public safety.
At approximately 2:30 p.m., a breakthrough came when a vehicle matching the description of Due’s Dodge Avenger was spotted on Shoal Creek Trail, a remote area near Norfork Lake managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The Arkansas Department of Corrections’ canine tracking team from the North Central Unit in Calico Rock was called in to assist. Their expertise proved decisive, as the team located Due’s body within an hour, roughly 70 to 75 yards off the road in a wooded area. The Baxter County Coroner’s Office took custody of the remains, and preliminary findings indicated that Due’s death was self-inflicted, bringing a grim conclusion to the day’s events.
The investigation into Taylor Due’s death remains active, with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Arkansas State Police, Bull Shoals Police Department, and Baxter County Sheriff’s Office working together to piece together the full sequence of events. Authorities have stated that no additional suspects are being sought, suggesting that the shooting was an isolated incident tied to the personal history between Brooks and Taylor Due. However, officials have been guarded about releasing further details, including the specific circumstances of the shooting or the nature of the protection order violation.
For the residents of Bull Shoals and Briarcliff, the day’s events have left a lingering sense of unease. The loss of Taylor Due, a member of their community, is a profound tragedy, compounded by the knowledge that her estranged husband was the alleged perpetrator. The rapid response of law enforcement, while effective in locating Due, could not undo the harm inflicted. As the investigation continues, the focus will likely shift to understanding the factors that led to this devastating outcome, including any warning signs that may have been missed.
The broader implications of this incident resonate beyond the Ozarks. It underscores the challenges of addressing domestic violence and the critical role of protection orders in safeguarding individuals at risk. For now, the community mourns, and authorities work to provide answers, hoping to bring some measure of closure to those affected by this heartbreaking chapter in Bull Shoals’ history.