Guardianship case believed to be center of Webster County double homicide

NIANGUA, Mo. — More details about the shooting deaths of Pamra and Alva Edwin Thurman, more well-known as "Ed", are becoming public.

The two were shot outside their home, just north of Niangua Tuesday night.

"Deputies were called out about 7:40 p.m. to what they were told were two people that had been shot, had gunshot wounds. Deputies arrived and started securing the scene, trying to figure out where everybody was and, and who was who," Webster County Sheriff Roye Cole said. "The suspect had already fled. We were able to track down the suspect in her home and after a 30 minute or hour long standoff, she came out with two other weapons. They were able to tackle her and wrestle the guns away from her, and so she's in the jail now."

Sheriff Cole says a home security system allowed them to identify the suspect's car at the scene.

"When they saw the car, they were able to piece together with the car and the name. They had had some run-ins with her this past summer, so they knew where she was staying," Cole said.

Neisha Rogers, the 49-year-old daughter of Pamra Thurman has been charged with both murders.

"The impression that I'm under is there was some type of guardianship action that was pending to the court. It's my understanding, if that action in that situation led to some hostility within the suspect and her family, that's what I believe led to the shooting," Cole said. "I would describe this as a heartless execution. There was no need for any of this."

A probable cause statement filed today includes a summary of an interview between Rogers and investigators.

Rogers tells investigators that she was going to the Thurman's home to see her son, who was the center of the guardianship cases.

Rogers adds that her son had been with the Thurmans for several years due to drinking issues in the past.

In that interview she claims she had endured insults from both Thurmans, referring to her mother as a 'narcissist" and told authorities that she had killed her mother with plans to take her own life later on.

Sheriff Cole says the Thurmans had a positive reputation in the Webster County area.

"We all knew him. He was a pilot with highway patrol, very well respected throughout the entire community, but also the entire state. He was a 30-plus-year trooper. Just a very good guy," Cole said. "Now is the time for us to be thinking about the family and their loss. It was completely unnecessary."

While not mentioned by authorities, Rogers is also facing charges in 2024 for not paying order child support to the Thurmans as the result of a 2023 ruling by another Webster County judge.

Rogers was also charged with aggravated DWI in September of this year.

Rogers was due in court for both those cases in December 4 and December 10, respectively.

Just up the road from the Thurmans, Clay Sandidge heard the sirens but hoped it wasn't what it turned out to be.

"I first seen some law enforcement coming down the road, and I got concerned. I seen them going into my neighbor's driveway and I thought, oh, boy, this doesn't look good. We started reaching out to people to see if we could be of any assistance or help," Sandidge said. "It was heartbreaking. It was really saddened by the news. They were just really good people and great neighbors."

Sandidge says he's known the Thurmans for some time now.

"I met him the first week I was here when I bought this farm, and they just. I run into them right away. And we've just been good friends and good good neighbors and great relationship ever since," Sandidge said. "Just good neighbors, helpful people, good, honest, decent people. I waved at him yesterday as he was watering his cows across the road. So, yeah, we're pretty upset and feel quite a loss to lose such a good neighbor."

Sandidge says there's still shock among those who knew the Thurmans.

"We're just heartbroken and, you know, pray for their family, and we hope that Jesus will overlook them and help them," Sandidge said.

OzarksFirst reached out to the Missouri State Highway Patrol for any comments and was told they would have a statement in the near future, which we will add to this story when we get it.

Rogers is currently being held without bond.