Stepdaughter, man accused in murder of Palo woman

A Palo woman and a North Liberty man face first-degree murder charges in the July death of a Palo woman.

Samantha Faith Bevans, 34, and Tacoa Talley, 38, were arrested this week and charged in the death of Jodie Bevans, 58, according to the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.

Samantha Bevans is Jodie Bevans’ stepdaughter.

Benton County sheriff’s deputies found Jodie Bevans dead in her Palo home July 15 after being asked to check on her welfare.

Jodie Bevans’ death was considered suspicious, and the Iowa DCI was called to investigate.

According to a criminal complaint, Samantha Bevans told investigators in an interview that Talley choked Jodie Bevans while she suffocated her stepmother with a pillow on July 14.

Investigators reportedly found a note written by Samantha Bevans that had “Kill Jodie” listed under that Thursday.

A search warrant of Snapchat also revealed a video where Samantha Bevans admitted to the killing, and a witness told investigators about overhearing a conversation in which Samantha Bevans described the slaying, according to the complaint.

Samantha Bevans is being held in the Benton County jail on a $1 million cash-only bond. A request for a no-contact order against her has been filed on behalf of Jodie Bevans’ husband, Mike Bevans, and their 16-year-old daughter.

Talley has been in custody in the Scott County Jail since Tuesday on charges of third-degree theft and violation of a no-contact order.

Talley and Samantha Bevans were both charged with third-degree theft in Scott County, accused of stealing about $30 worth of merchandise from a hotel gift shop on July 25.

At the time of the theft, Talley had an active no-contact order in which Samantha Bevans was the protected party.

Samantha Bevans was released on her own recognizance from Scott County on July 31 after being arrested on July 30 for the theft charge.

Talley is also wanted in Wisconsin on charges of violating probation

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