Tamara Bell-Walker, 45: Missing In 2020, Husband Found Dead 1 Month Later
When her husband was questioned by police, he said he thought someone was trying to kill him.
For a case shrouded in such mystery, I’m disappointed by the lack of coverage. However, of what could be found, the story of 45-year-old Tamara Bell-Walker and her husband, Corey Walker, leaves readers with more questions than answers about what happened to the couple.
Depending on the news source or agency, Tamara went missing from Little Rock, Arkansas, on May 5 or 6, 2020. On May 29, her vehicle was located in-state. Things would take an even more concerning turn when, almost a month later, Corey was found dead of a gunshot wound to the chest.
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Unpacking What Happened To The Walkers
This case has several layers, and much of the information provided in reports came from Tamara’s father, Calvin Bell. He told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette that in February 2020, just months before his daughter went missing, Tamara complained to him about a houseguest.
The person was staying with Corey and Tamara, and there was some contention. According to Calvin, it wasn’t long after Tamara spoke of the disagreements that she ceased contact with her father altogether. Calvin said he tried reaching out, but he never received a response.
On May 3, things changed when Calvin received a text from his daughter—at least, that was what it seemed at first. He became suspicious when “Tamara” told him that she had been taking her medication. For Calvin, this message was a strange declaration. Tamara was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and received disability. She previously served in the Navy.
“She would never announce she was taking her meds,” said Calvin.
He texted his daughter’s number and said he needed Tamara to call him, since it was abnormal for her to go that long without contact. Someone replied, seemingly Tamara, saying that she had dropped her phone in the bathtub and needed to purchase another one.
Again, Calvin insisted that he hear Tamara’s voice or else he would reach out to the authorities. Because he was living in Mexico, Calvin couldn’t see his daughter immediately.
A Father’s Concern Sets In When A Birthday Message Doesn’t Arrive
It was Calvin’s birthday on May 13, and when Tamara didn’t reach out to send well-wishes, he called the police, hoping they would conduct a welfare check.
“That morning, usually she would call me up, singing me some crazy birthday song that she just made up, and most of the time, it’s early in the morning, like five o’clock, because she wants to be the first one to call me,” said Calvin.
“I didn’t get a call, so as the day went on, I sent a message at 8:37 in the evening and said, ‘Tamara, I hope and pray you are well. I know that something is going on with you now because you would have called me on my birthday.’”
Calvin went on to say that he was told police interviewed Tamara’s husband on June 1, and Corey reportedly told authorities that he had been out of town in Kentucky, was on his way back to Arkansas, and hadn’t heard from Tamara since May 5.
Corey was said to have told investigators that he feared someone was trying to kill him. However, details of any alleged threats have not been shared publicly.
Four days later, on June 5, in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, police responded to a call about shots being fired. When they arrived at the scene, they found a vehicle that had collided with a pole. When they looked inside, they found Corey Walker with a gunshot wound to the chest.
The Mysterious Death Of Corey Walker
A press release from the police department went out stating that Corey’s death was ruled a suicide. Pine Bluff Lt. David DeFoor quickly reacted, updating that a cause of death had not yet been confirmed and Corey’s death was still actively being investigated. It is unclear if this death is connected to the disappearance of Tamara Bell-Walker.
“The original information came from an investigator who went to the autopsy,” said DeFoor. “Until there’s substantial evidence that it was a suicide, this will continue to be under investigation.”
Tamara did not have family in Arkansas, and her loved ones feared the worst, especially considering what happened to her husband.
Tamara Bell-Walker: What To Know
At the time of her disappearance, Tamara Bell-Walker stood 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighed 110 pounds. She had black/dark brown hair and brown eyes. Tamara reportedly has tattoos on her arm, chest, and pierced ears.
Anyone with information about this case is urged to contact the Little Rock Police Department at (501) 371-4510 or their local law enforcement agency. The agency case number is 2020-059603.
Please share this story about Tamara Bell-Walker to help reignite the investigation into her disappearance. She is our sister, and her life matters.
Case Number: 2020-059603
Agency: Little Rock Police Department
Phone: (501) 371-4510
Email:
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