Police seek witness in connection to homicide, victim identified

Noelle Alviz-Gransee, Des Moines Register
·2 min read

Police found Natasha Lue Jean Williams, 51, dead in a Des Moines home Monday morning after they were sent there to check on her welfare, according to a Des Moines Police Department press release Tuesday.

A Facebook post around the time of the welfare check at 1600 block of E. Glenwood Drive said that she was last seen on Friday and, "it is not like her to be missing and leave behind her personal belongings."

After finding her body, police blocked off several area streets but later said there was "no indication of any ongoing threat to the neighborhood."

"Des Moines Police Department detectives are investigating this incident as a homicide. This is the 18th homicide of 2022," a Monday evening police news release said.

As of Tuesday evening, police were looking for 54-year-old Des Moines resident Scott L. Lowery, who they believe has important information regarding the investigation, according to an updated news release. Lowery is believed to be driving a blue 2006 Jeep Commander with an Iowa license plate of MNP 490.

Robert Lampman, who lives nearby the home, said the south side neighborhood has been a calm one.

"I’ve lived in this house since 2005 and for the most part, it’s actually been a really good neighborhood to live in. Nothing like this has ever happened around here since I’ve been here. It’s just really sad," Lampman told the Des Moines Register.

Natasha Lue Jean Williams, 51, was the 18th Des Moines homicide victim in 2022, police say. She was found dead in her home on Dec. 11, 2022.
Natasha Lue Jean Williams, 51, was the 18th Des Moines homicide victim in 2022, police say. She was found dead in her home on Dec. 11, 2022.

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He said he was not close with Williams or the other person who lived in the home.

"I didn’t know the couple that well, just a friendly neighborly 'hi' when we seen each other," Lampman said.

In a Facebook post, the same person who wrote about Williams' disappearance wrote of her, "You were the most kind, precious woman. I can’t believe it!"

KCCI television reported that Williams, who was referred to as "momma Tasha" in several Facebook posts, worked for the Des Moines Public Schools district.

"She was a special part of our Merrill family and we relied heavily on her big heart and expertise in supporting students," the schools' statement said, according to KCCI.

More news:Des Moines police investigating homicide after they found a deceased woman inside a home

Noelle Alviz-Gransee is a general assignment reporter at the Des Moines Register. Follow her on Twitter at @NoelleHannika or email her at NAlvizGransee@registermedia.com.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Murdered Des Moines woman identified as Natasha Lue Jean Williams