HANNAH DOWDIE -1yo- (2009) Sweet Home AR

Burned bodies found in pickup identified as Michael Palmer, Hannah Dowdie





Tracks in the mud are all that is left of the scene where firefighters discovered the bodies of Michael Palmer and Hannah Dowdie.

Palmer's truck was found on fire down a deserted stretch of Wilbern Road in Sweet Home. One body was found in the passenger side of the cab, he other in the truck's bed. Investigators will not say how the pair died.

John Rehrauer of the Pulaski County Sheriff's Department says, "We have received some information from the medical examiner. We're not releasing anything right now. This is a complicated investigation right now we don't want to do anything to deter that investigation, and hopefully the eventual prosecution of the people that are responsible. We're really being kind of tight lipped on information on this."

"He's a good ol'e country boy. He loved to hunt, loved to fish, loved to have a few drinks or so you know, just relax and hang out," says Ryan Kincaid.

Kincaid lives right behind the trailer where Michael Palmer did.

Neighbors say they would hear Palmer leave for work early in the morning, hearing his truck pull away even before sun up.

Neighbors say they haven't seen Palmer or his daughter for several days. They say there never was any trouble to speak of at his home.

Kincaid says, "The last time I saw him was up at the gas station down the road, and he was getting some new tires on his truck and real happy about it. A least the last time I seen him he was happy. That's what I'll try to remember, is him being happy. Hopefully he is in a better place."

Kincaid says Palmer recently became very family oriented and spoke often about his daughter. We have reason to believe Hannah may have been under the care of DHS recently. Investigators and the folks from DHS say they have no comment.

http://www.todaysthv.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=95972&catid=2

UPDATE: Gatrell accepts plea deal, gets 40 years


LITTLE ROCK — Daniel Gatrell, who along with his cousin was accused in the deaths of a father and his toddler, pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the death of Michael Palmer and first-degree murder in the death of Hannah Palmer.
Gatrell, 17, received a 10-year sentence on the manslaughter charge and a 40-year sentence on the murder charge, to be served concurrently.
Earlier Thursday, Gatrell declined a peal deal from the state But he appeared again before Pulaski County Circuit Judge Chris Piazza and accepted the plea arrangement.
He will not be eligible for parole until he is at least 44.
He also must testify against his cousin, Robert Todd Gatrell, 21.
Palmer and his nearly 2-year-old daughter were found burned beyond recognition Dec. 12, 2009, in Palmer's pickup in Sweet Home. Authorities say Palmer was fatally shot before the fire while the girl was strapped into a car seat and burned to death.
http://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2011/jan/27/gatrell-declines-plea-deal-be-tried-adult/

Robert Gatrell pleads guilty in father, daughter murder


Updated: 2/03 7:58 pm
LITTLE ROCK, AR - "We miss them, Michael and Hannah but, they're, i'm sorry," cried Sharon Pittman as she trailed off, digging her head into a family member's shoulder. Her son, Michael Palmer, and her granddaughter, Hannah, were murdered more than a year ago.

Thursday, Robert Gatrell admitted shooting and killing Michael, then burning his body and Hannah, still alive at the time, in a pick-up truck.

"We don't have to go through two trials and stuff like that so i'm really pleased with this," said Pittman.

Robert Gatrell will now spend life in prison without the chance of parole. Last week Daniel Gatrell, Robert's cousin and accomplice, pleaded guilty and got a 40-year sentence.

According to Robert Gatrell's attorney, family played a role in his decision to accept a plea deal -- and in more ways than one.

"We just felt that this was the best resolution for himself and his family and the family of the victims," said Attorney Mark Hampton. He said the other reason is Daniel Gatrell's decision to testify against Robert which was made in court last week.

Now both Gatrell's will continue their walks through the justice system, and one family can finally be at peace.

"I hope nobody ever has to go through like what we've gone through -- never," said Pittman before leaving the courthouse, tears still flowing.
http://www.fox16.com/news/local/story/Robert-Gatrell-pleads-guilty-in-father-daughter/aYX_7-AfUkKlHO842sdIzw.cspx