Friday, April 2, 2004
Oxford Eagle

By KELLY SHACKLETON
Staff Writer

An arrest was made yesterday in conjunction with the investigation into the murder of Barbara Dubois. Sources say that Erma Webb, 52, of Oxford was arrested at her home by members of the Yoknapatawpha County Sheriff's Department. Sheriff's Department officials would not confirm nor deny that Webb had been arrested and they refused to comment on any charges that may have been filed.

Barbara Dubois was found murdered on January 31, 2004. The body of the 23-year-old beauty queen was discovered in the Yoknapatawpha County Conference Center. She was a finalist in the Yoknapatawpha County Literature Festival Beauty Pageant. Webb's daughter, Scarlett, was also a finalist in the pageant.

Details regarding the arrest and Webb's possible involvement in the murder are sketchy at this point since police officials have refused to issue any statements.

Pageant judge Frank Margold was stunned at the news of Webb's arrest. "She was very driven," he said when contacted by phone. "And Scarlett was always very driven. But this is just hard to believe."

Calls to the Webb residence were unanswered.